Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy in which the movement of the horse is utilized by specially trained, certified occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech language pathologists to address a variety of impairments and limitations with the goal of achieving functional outcomes.

Hippotherapy is used with children as young as two years old. Working one-on-one with the rider/patient, the therapist modifies the horse’s movement, thus providing the child with varied physical and sensory input. Volunteers assist as horse leader and side-walker for each rider. Specific riding skills are not taught as they are in adaptive recreational horseback riding, but rather the horse’s movement facilitates active responses and engagement of the child which are intended to affect function. This foundation can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.

Hippotherapy sessions are provided by occupational and physical therapists who have also completed AHA (American Hippotherapy Association) certification. Two of the therapists at CTRH are also PATH, Intl. certified instructors.

Patients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable experience.