Ylöjärvi tests ravitherapy with harness trotters at Teivo racetrack

Paavo, a steady warmblood trotter, stands calmly as a young client prepares for her first therapeutic drive. The method, called ravitherapy, is being piloted by therapist Anne Terävä at Teivo racetrack in Ylöjärvi, YLE reports.

With a background in riding and later training in harness driving, Terävä combines brief psychotherapy with hands-on stable work, grooming and driving exercises. One participant, 23-year-old Oona Helander, is seeking help for anxiety and fear-related issues and says activity-based work suits her better than traditional talk therapy.

Sessions begin with a grounding breath-and-presence exercise. Illustrated emotion cards link feelings with bodily sensations. Drives are carried out in side-by-side or tandem carts, letting clients feel the horse’s motion through the reins and equipment.

Terävä has received a 1,500 euro Ilmari Halinen grant from Suomen Hippos to document the pilot. She plans to add five to ten child and youth demo clients in the autumn and publish results in spring 2027.

Hippos CEO Tomi Himanka and researcher Sanna Mattila-Rautiainen say ravitherapy could complement existing riding therapy.