 What is
hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language
therapy treatment strategy that utilizes the movement of the horse
as part of an integrated intervention program. In each hippotherapy
session a specially trained occupational, physical or speech
therapist properly positions the client on the horse, analyzes the
client's response and directs the horse's movement. In hippotherapy
each client is working towards specific goals developed with input
from both the client/parent and therapist. Enjoyable and challenging
therapy activities are selected to help established a foundation to
improve neurological function and sensory processing. This
foundation can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.
Why the horse?
The horse's unique walk transfers variable, repetitive and
rhythmic movement to the client, which provides sensory input to the
brain and nervous system. The resultant responses in the client are
similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. An
average horse takes 120 walking steps per minute, allowing 120
chances each minute for a client to experience this unique movement
that cannot be replicated by other apparatus or equipment. During a
session the therapist, working in conjunction with a specially
trained horse handler, can grade or adapt this movement to provide a
"just right challenge" for each client. Most clients
respond very enthusiastically to hippotherapy treatment and
thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to engage with the horse in an
environment that is much different than the typical therapy clinic.
Who benefits
from hippotherapy
A wide variety of clients can experience benefits from hippotherapy.
Some diagnoses commonly treated by our therapists include:
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Closed Head Injury
- Developmental Delay
- Down Syndrome
- Emotional Disorders
- Hearing Impairment
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Paralysis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Bifida
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Some conditions that may be
contraindicated for hippotherapy include:
- Orthopedic –
- Atlantoaxial Instability-describe
neurologic symptoms
- Coxa Arthrosis
- Cranial Deficits
- Heterotropic Ossification/Myositis
Ossificans
- Joint Subluxation/dislocation
- Osteoporosis
- Pathologic Fractures
- Spinal Fusion/Fixation
- Spinal Instability/Abnormalities
- Neurologic-
- Hydrocephalus/Shunt
- Seizure
- Spina Bifida/Chiari II
Malformation/Tethered Cord/Hydromelia
- Medical/Psychological-
- Allergies
- Animal Abuse
- Physical/Sexual/Emotional Abuse
- Blood Pressure Control
- Dangerous to self or others
- Exacerbations of medical
conditions
- Fire Settings
- Heart Conditions
- Hemophilia
- Medical Instability
- Migraines
- PVD
- Respiratory Compromise
- Recent Surgeries
- Substance Abuse
- Thought Control Disorders
- Weight Control Disorders
- Age-under 2 years
- Indwelling Catheters
How is
hippotherapy different than therapeutic riding?
Hippotherapy sessions must be conducted by a licensed
occupational, physical or speech therapist or therapy assistant with
additional specialized training in using the movement of the horse.
Hippotherapy is a medical treatment, requiring a doctor's
prescription for OT, PT or speech therapy, which aims to achieve
functional outcomes. Therapeutic riding lessons are conducted by
PATH International (formerly NARHA) registered or advanced riding instructors who are specially
trained in working with people with disabilities. While there is an
inherent therapeutic value in horseback riding, therapeutic riding
lessons focus on teaching riding skills for recreational purposes.
Is there an
age limit for participating in hippotherapy?
Before registering for hippotherapy the therapist will usually
meet with the client to determine if he or she is appropriate for
our program. While there is no upper age limit for participating in
hippotherapy, generally children are not accepted before age 2.
Children younger than 2 years old do not yet posses neurological
systems that are mature enough to accommodate to the sensory input,
which is produced by sitting astride a moving horse. Children must
also be able to be fitted with and wear an approved riding helmet
for the duration of each hippotherapy session. Some young children
lack the neck control necessary to hold up the head with the
additional weight of a helmet when on a moving horse. While age 2 is
used as a general guideline for inclusion in hippotherapy, this
varies from child to child. Some children may be 3 or 4 years old
before they are neurologically mature enough to be able to derive
maximum benefit from hippotherapy. In some instances it may be
determined that hippotherapy is not an appropriate treatment
strategy for a specific client in which case the therapist can
recommend alternative treatment suggestions.
About our
program
Hippotherapy sessions at Three Gaits are usually individual sessions
that last 30 minutes in duration. There may be times when small
groups of clients are working with one therapist when it is
determined that this is the best way for each client to meet his or
her therapy goals. Hippotherapy at Three Gaits is conducted by a
highly trained occupational therapist in collaboration with a
hippotherapy horse handler and trained volunteers who act as
sidewalkers or in other capacities during the session. The average
number of staff and volunteers working with each client during a
single hippotherapy session is between 3-5. Since we rely on so many
people during each session it is important for hippotherapy clients
to come at a regular day and time each week and to arrive on time
for the session. We are often not able to accommodate clients who
arrive more than 10 minutes late to a scheduled session.
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Therapeutic Horsemanship Center