Hippotherapy is the use of horses in therapy of those with special needs or disabilities. It is a form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The concept of hippotherapy was mentioned in the ancient Greek writing of hippocrates but was not developed until the 1960s, when it was used in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Hippotherapy requires a well trained horse, a horse handler, and a physiotherapist. The movements of the horse and patient are used to improve strength and fine motor skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 1980s came the first standardized hippotherapy curriculum, which was brought to Germany for improvements, and then brought back to North America in 1992, which opened the door for the American Hippotherapy Association to begin. The AHA has provideded a curriculum and assesment for occupational, physical, and speech therapists in the United States.

 

Hippotherapy is beneficial to patients with neurological impairments or disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, multople sclerosis, head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, behavioral disorders, and psychiatric disorders. The animals are used in various ways throughout therapy sessions. The motion of the horse walking mimicks the motion of walking, which strenghtens leg muscles and can help disabled patients begin to walk. It also provides sensory input which is variable, rhythmic, and repetitive. The riding also strenghtnes the patients core and arms by forcing them to stabilize themselves throughout the horses movememnts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In therapy sessions, children will perform activities on and off the horses backs. While on the horse, children will have to push a ball through a hanging tire, or throw a potatoe into a bucket. These make therapy enjoyable as well as increase the patients motor skills and improve their ability to follow directions. The patients also do activities on the ground. They will be asked to braid the horses mane, draw a picture on the horse using washable paint, put away their equipment, and do puzzles and other tasks. 

 

Traditional speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing goals are also met through therapy. The patients are required to vocalize their commands to the horse, which builds confidence and strengthens speech clarity. In a study by Beth Macauley and Karla Gutierrez, parents said their children imporved more in hippotherapy than they did in traditional speech therapy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hippotherapy differs from other types of therapy by creating a more inviting enviroment. The children look forward to therapy and working with the horses. The patients start off by being introduced to the horses and getting comfortable around them. They will perform tasks such as brushing or feeding treats to allow them to be more comfotrable around the animals.