Hippotherapy

Horses as Helpers!

Ms. Matthews

What is Hippotherapy?

What do you know about Hippotherapy? What do you think you know about

Hippotherapy? What don’t you know about

Hippotherapy?

Today we will…

Define the term HippotherapyExplain the differences between

Hippotherapy and Therapeutic RidingExplain how Hippotherapy worksDescribe the benefits of HippotherapyIdentify medical conditions and

impairments that can benefit from Hippotherapy

Identify at least one job opportunity in the area of therapeutic riding

What is Hippotherapy?

What is Hippotherapy?

“Hippos” means horse in Greek Literally means “treatment with the help

of the horse” Hippotherapy is a treatment

strategy that utilizes equine movement to improve neurological and sensory function in an individual with a disability

What is Therapeutic Riding?

A type of Hippotherapy that uses “traditional” or adaptive riding disciplines

Encompasses a variety of different methods including Hippotherapy

So…What’s the difference?

Hippotherapy is specifically using the movement of the horse to benefit the patient

Therapeutic Riding is a general term used to describe all levels of benefit that a rider or patient can receive from riding a horse

How does Hippotherapy work?

Horses provide multidimensional movement– Variable– Rhythmic– Repetitive

Mirrors natural walking pattern of a human

What are the Benefits of Hippotherapy? Provides a solid base of support to rider Improves:

– Balance– Coordination– Posture Control– Trunk Strength

What types of medical conditions can benefit from Hippotherapy? Autism Spectrum Disorder Cerebral Palsy Developmental Delay Genetic Syndromes Learning Disabilities Sensory Integration Disorders Speech-Language Disorders Traumatic Brain Injury/Stroke

How is Hippotherapy used?

Hippotherapy can be used alone for its physical benefits or in combination with other activities and tasks which fall under Therapeutic Riding

What types of impairments can benefit from Hippotherapy? Abnormal muscle tone Impaired balance responses Impaired coordination Impaired communication Impaired sensorimotor function Postural asymmetry Poor postural control Decreased mobility Attention disorders

What types of jobs are available in the field of Hippotherapy? Speech Therapist Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist

How can you get involved?

Volunteer! http://www.texashorsemansdirectory

.com/TherapeuticRiding.html#TRP Continue with equine science related

studies Research Therapeutic Riding minors at

colleges

Activity!

Groups of 2 or 3 Create a new poster of “what you now

know” Feel free to add any questions that you

still have remaining!

What we learned today…

What is Hippotherapy?What is the difference between

Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding?How does Hippotherapy work?Describe a benefit of HippotherapyIdentify a medical condition or impairments

that can benefit from HippotherapyIdentify at least one job opportunity in the

area of therapeutic riding

Thank you!