In our era, the use and adoption of innovative, holistic, and sustainable methods in the rehabilitation processes of individuals with disabilities have become one of the fundamental priorities not only of health policies but also of social welfare and public administration approaches. In the 21st century, the content of these policies has moved beyond traditional goals such as security or economic growth; instead, elements such as social welfare, the inclusion and integration of disadvantaged groups into society, and the inclusiveness of healthcare services have become key factors determining countries’ international standing.
Especially in developing countries, the policies followed in social and health services serve as a remarkable indicator of state capacity and social legitimacy production. In this context, Kazakhstan’s recent policies for the rehabilitation of children and people with disabilities, especially through hippotherapy (horse-assisted therapy), not only increase social participation at the national level, but also stand out in terms of regional leadership, soft power and multidisciplinary strategy.
In the past, the interaction between humans and horses was not limited to transportation and production; it also played a significant role in health and psychological healing processes. Therapy involving the use of horses is a proven method in the rehabilitation of individuals with mental, physical, and sensory impairments. However, this method has become not only a tool for individual development but also an important instrument for social integration, sustainable development, and international knowledge exchange.[i]
As a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Kazakhstan is obligated to implement various regulations to ensure that persons with disabilities can live independently, equally, and with dignity. Hippotherapy practices can be seen as a concrete reflection of this obligation. This form of therapy, which particularly supports individuals’ rights to education, healthcare, and participation in social life, facilitates the localization and internalization of these international norms through policies and practices at the local level. Therefore, this practice is not merely a medical intervention; it also represents a real-life example of a human rights-based approach to social policy.[ii]
In the modern understanding of public administration, the integration of service delivery from central to local levels, and from the public sector to private and civil society actors, is evaluated through the lens of governance. In this regard, the practices in Kazakhstan represent a noteworthy example. While the country initially prioritized economic development following its independence, in recent years, it has also begun to invest in the social dimension of this development. Within this framework, the increasing number of hippotherapy centers reflects the government’s openness to innovative approaches in the fields of health and social services. Projects implemented in the capital, Astana, and the East Kazakhstan region have yielded particularly effective results in the treatment of children with mental and physical disabilities. The expansion of hippotherapy centers not only in major urban areas but also in socioeconomically less developed regions demonstrates the coherence of Kazakhstan’s approach with its regional development strategies.
The heated hippotherapy arena established in the Oskemen region enables uninterrupted service throughout the year, ensuring continuity in rehabilitation. In addition, this center positioned Kazakhstan as a key player in the field by developing the world’s first state-approved hippotherapy standards in 2020. This development highlights that standardization and institutionalization in health policies lay the groundwork not only for domestic policy but also for gaining international engagement. Instructor training programs, the dissemination of knowledge to various cities, and infrastructure investments for Paralympic athletes clearly demonstrate that the country has transformed this field into a strategic policy tool.[iii]
Another important example is the hippotherapy center established by entrepreneurs in the city of Ridder, located in East Kazakhstan. This center is particularly noteworthy in terms of the social entrepreneurship model and public-private sector collaboration. Its integration with cultural tourism serves as a model for ensuring the economic sustainability of social policies.[iv] This situation reveals that Kazakhstan allows space for actors beyond the central authority in its social welfare policies and has adopted a multi-level governance model.
Kazakhstan’s hippotherapy policies are also significant in terms of expanding the social protection system. The Social Code, which came into force in 2023, recognized parents caring for children with disabilities as “personal assistants,” officially classifying them as public employees and guaranteeing their salaries and pension contributions. Furthermore, from an international relations perspective, Kazakhstan’s policies in this field demonstrate the potential to enhance the country’s soft power capacity. Humanitarian, scientific, and socially oriented projects and practices such as these can become important diplomatic tools, especially among developing governments, by promoting knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and the formation of collective values. In this regard, Kazakhstan’s position in the field makes it a pioneer of social development diplomacy in Central Asia.
In conclusion, Kazakhstan’s public policy in the field of hippotherapy possesses strategic depth in terms of both international relations and social welfare practices. Through these policies, the country institutionalizes service delivery to disadvantaged groups with a holistic and modern approach while also strengthening social inclusion. Moreover, the projects and initiatives developed not only have an impact at the national level but also play a standard-setting role regionally, continuously enhancing the country’s normative power. In this context, hippotherapy is not merely a treatment method; it also serves as an effective public policy tool for fostering social solidarity, social justice, and international cooperation.
[i] “What is Hippotherapy and Therapy with a Horse?”, Tskele Special Education, https://tskeleleozelegitim.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/hipoterapi-4.pdf, (Access Date: 20.06.2025).
[ii] “How is a pension assigned to a parent who is raising a disabled child?”, Aiqyn, https://aikyn.kz/279802/elimizde-mugedek-bala-asyrap-otyrg-an-ata-anag-a-zeynetak-y-k-alay-tag-ayyndalady, (Access Date: 20.06.2025).
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] “New Recreation Area in East Kazakhstan Region Offers Innovative Hippotherapy to People with Disabilities”, The Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2022/07/new-recreation-area-in-east-kazakhstan-region-offers-innovative-hippotherapy-to-people-with-disabilities/, (Access Date: 20.06.2025).
