What is hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy comes from the Latin word "Hippo" meaning horse. Hippotherapists use the natural movement of a horse as part of a patient's overall treatment plan. A horse's pelvis has a three-dimensional movement very similar to the way a human walks so horseback riding can provide significant benefits for patients with both physical and neurological disabilities. Using equine-assisted therapy, patients with physical and neurological disorders are able to improve their balance, strength and coordination by learning to adjust to a horse's gait. Learning to ride and adjust to the physical demands of this activity stimulates specific parts of the brain to organize, helping the develop more capabilities to handle complex tasks.

Hippotherapy also builds trust and confidence, often allowing for patients with autism and other processing disorders to feel comfortable communicating with the horse in ways they have been unable to do with other humans

Hippotherapy is regularly used in a wide range of therapies including physical, occupational, psychological, speech, cognition and trauma recovery. It is also becoming a popular option for children with physical, developmental and processing disorders such as multiple sclerosis, autism, Downs's syndrome, child abuse survivors and other conditions. Both physically and emotionally, working with a horse can have a long term, positive impact on people with a wide range of therapeutic needs.

More Info: www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org

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40 Comments

Dena Barrett

Carroll Price, why would you think it is quakery? Thousands of people have made amazing improvements in many areas of their lives. They have solid scientific evidence that the physical therapy works wonders and equine therapy has been used to make significant strides working with children with mental and emotional challenges such as autism, Down's Syndrome, cystic fibrosis and PTSD.

Julia Belinda Reid

I don't think hippotherapy is quackery. It really helps autistic children to be able to interact better with others.

Dena Barrett

mikewallach, OK, well I'll tell my autistic son who developed reading and language skills after hippotherapy when all other therapies had failed that it was just because he like riding a horse.

Joseph A. Robitaille

i knew of this therapy and the horses that help people out It is a good question and explanation.

Player

I had a couple of sessions of this for my MS. A fantastic thing to do although a little awkward getting on a horse with mobility impairments (you don't mount in the conventional way but come from a platform level with the horse's back and slide over).