Although there were plans to improve the teaching of equitation also including persons with special needs to this project in 1978, this could not become a reality by then.

Only in 1983, through an agreement with the Equine Society of Brasilia, it was possible to implement a Riding School inside its facilities, as the beginning of the work with Down Syndrome children, following that original idea. The results turned out to be surprisingly good and the wish to go deeper into this activity grew.

In 1988, after acknowledging that many places in Europe were already practicing the therapeutic activities with the assistance of horses for the disabled, it seemed as an opportunity for a study tour for a group of people that wished to start the practice in Brazil .Several centers in Countries such as Italy, Switzerland, France and England were visited at that time.

After the trips to many European Countries and also after much reflection about the strategy towards introducing the therapeutic practice with the horses assistance in Brazil, a national doctrine was finally created, having been formulated by Brazilian professionals from different fields of knowledge, such as Health, Education and Horse Riding, in accordance to all referring Brazilian laws, taking into account the peculiarities of the Country and also the cultural backgrounds of the Brazilian people.

Besides that, this first group of “pioneers” was being guided by their wish to avoid that this method for the rehabilitation of people who actually needed it, could somehow become widespread in a disordered way, which would certainly hinder its future control and coordination, as well as it could become harmful when seeking acknowledge for the salutary effects by the proper health and science authorities of Brazil.

As a first decision coming from the strategics to establish the Equotherapy, the National Association of Equotherapy (ANDE-BRASIL) was founded on the month of May 1989, having accomplished its 20 years of life on last May of 2009.

This information notebook has been written in order to disseminate the knowledge acquired by ANDE-BRASIL and its conquest through 20 years of life, to the Government Departments, Colleges and professionals from health and education fields, towards the proper way to divulge and to stimulate this therapeutic activity, which results as a benefit to so many people.