DEFINITION
"Hippos" = Horse in Greek
Hippotherapy = treatment involving a horse
Hippotherapy is used by physiotherapists, occupational or speech therapists
The horse's movement is used to achieve functional outcomes
A qualified health professional may use a horse as a treatment strategy just as he/she would use a ball, swings and other equipment. The horse becomes the tool to achieve therapeutic goals
The horse can assist in addressing impairments, functional limitation, and disabilities in clients with neuromotor and/or sensory dysfunction.
Hippotherapy is used as part of an integrated and holistic treatment program.
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Who could benefit?
Any client referred to OT could potentially benefit. Consult a professional working in the field
Examples of the types of conditions that may benefit from hippotherapy:
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Autism
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Cerebral Palsy
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Developmental Delay
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Genetic Syndromes
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Learning Difficulties
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Sensory Integration Dysfunction
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Brain Injury
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Spinal cord injury
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Multiple Sclerosis/neuromuscular dysfunction
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Amputation
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Cancer survivors
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And more
What can improve?
Using hippotherapy, the OT can assist the child in improving and developing a wide rangs of skills in order to improve his/her function in everyday life
Examples of the skills that can particularly improve through hippotherapy:
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motor control
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coordination
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balance
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postural control
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attention
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sensory processing
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performance in daily tasks
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gross motor and fine motor skills
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visual motor skills
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bilateral control
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cognition
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self-esteem
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and much more
Why a horse?
Horses are unique and hippotherapy provides a fun, interesting alternative to a clinical setting
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The horse’s walk provides variable, rhythmic, and repetitive sensory input through movement.
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The therapist is able to grade the degree of sensory input to the client by varying the horse’s gait.
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The horse’s movement in walking results in the rider’s pelvis moving in a similar pattern to that of human walking.
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The therapist can use this movement in combination with other treatment strategies to achieve desired goals.
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Clients generally respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable experience.
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The horse and rider develop a special relationship.
Link to Equine Assisted Therapy Association of South Africa website:
http://www.eatasa.com/eatasa-equine-assisted-therapy-associati