Hippotherapy

(Horse/Equine Therapy, Horse Assisted Therapy)

 

Horses provide an excellent means for individuals to experience a unique way to recover and grow in their rehabilitation process. Our Hippotherapy program benefits children and adults; individuals are paired with a specially trained horse to help them develop and meet each goal set by their treating team. The walk of the horse gives the individual sensory input through its movements, which are rhythmic, repetitive and variable. The movement responses of a person on a horse mimic the human pelvic bones of the human when walking. The horse can go slowly or fast and can challenge the individual to have better and better balance. There are clinical treatments added to the riding, so the client develops strength and stability along with the balance. 

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Hippotherapy is also known as equine-assisted therapy or horse therapy. Hippotherapy is just one modality for speech, occupational, and physical therapists. It is also helpful in the mental health field, where social workers and psychologists use equine assisted psychotherapy as part of their treatment sessions. Most clients enjoy this type of therapy so much, they don't even consider it as a part of their rehabilitation process!

Physical therapists use Hippotherapy to improve the patient’s gait training skills, along with several other benefits. Occupational therapists use it to improve motor control, balance, attention, and improvement in activities of daily living. In speech and language therapy, Hippotherapy helps accomplish sensory processing, cognitive awareness, speech improvement and swallowing abilities. 

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Hippotherapy can do a lot for the client, including giving them better posture, balance, mobility, and function. There can be psychological effects, cognitive improvement, behavioral improvement and better communication for people of all ages. Individuals with cerebral palsy, developmental delay, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury can be effectively treated, along with autism, stroke, and speech and language deficits. Hippotherapy, on the other hand, is not for everyone and must be tailored to the needs of each client. If you have further questions please