Hippotherapy For Your Child With Special Needs

What is Hippotherapy?

Hippos is the Greek word for horse, and Hippotherapy means the therapeutic use of horses. It should not be confused with therapeutic riding. Hippotherapy is a medically based treatment tool, whereas therapeutic riding involves teaching people with a disability equestrian skills. In the 1960’s physical therapist in Europe began using horses to help patients with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy and brain injuries. Physical therapist believed that the horses movement created neurological changes that helped improve a person’s posture control, strength, and coordination. In the 1980’s American Hippotherapy association (AHA) was formed for these therapist who specialized in the field.

The original focus of Hippotherapy was treating physical disabilities, but today it is also used by occupational and speech therapist, and language pathologist. They use the horse as a treatment tool with in their therapy session just as they might use a ball, balance beam, or toys. It is an unconventional path in the effort to increase a child’s physical strength and cognitive capabilities. Simply being on a horse is therapeutic but through Hippotherapy, a child can experience many different types of beneficial sensory stimulation. Muscle and joints receive deep pressure stimulation from bouncing and holding positions (like kneeling or standing on the horse), and the brain receives vestibular stimulation (to sense movement and balance) as the horse moves and changes speeds. Hippotherapy provides the sensory stimulation that helps a child organize his body for complex tasks. A horse walks with a gait that is similar to the human gait- variable, rhythmic, repetitive. A child who has never walked or who has an abnormal gait can sit on a horse and experience what “normal” feels like.

If a child has a disability that qualifies him for therapy, (ot, pt, speech, or language) Hippotherapy is an option. Children as young as two years old can benefit significantly. Parents may consider Hippotherapy if their child does one or more of the following;

-Leans against surfaces, slides out of chairs and bumps into things, indicating poor body awareness and postural control

-Seeks a lot of intense movement and avoids sitting long enough to manipulate objects such as crayons or puzzles

-Has difficulty following directions and communicating with words, pictures, or gestures.

The therapist will evaluate the child’s physical, cognitive, and psychological abilities, and gage whether it is appropriate for the child and If so, what accommodations need to be made if the child cannot sit on the horse in a conventional manner. The horses are carefully chosen, and specifically trained for their unique role, and are guided by professional horse handlers which optimizes safety and effectiveness.

After the child mounts the horse the therapist monitor and control the horse. The therapist will walk along the side of the horse to direct, and modify the movement in a way that is safe for the child. The therapist with analyze and monitor the individuals responses and progress, and adjust and modify the plan of treatment accordingly. The therapist is always in control of the horses’ movement, choosing activities that will help achieve specific outcomes. for example; when the horse makes fast eratic movements it improves attention and postural control a slow rhythmic movement reduces muscle tone (egspasticity).

When the child pets or hugs the horse and has body contact, it decreases sensory defensiveness and sensitives. By steering the reins, it improves right and left coordination
-if the therapist has the child look for objects on the trail, it develops visual motor skills Some other benefits of Hippotherapy are;
The interaction with the animal can lift a child’s spirits emotionally and psychologically while also providing the valuable exercise
-improved gross motor skills
-stomach core strength
-improves posture
-reduces abnormal muscle tone
-improved attention
-improved response timing
-visual coordination and more…

There are generally very few risks involved in Hippotherapy, but because a child will be working with an animal, some common sense steps should be taken to ensure the safety of the child. They should always have appropriate safety equipment such as helmets and safety padding during all sessions.
Unfortunately, there are a limited number of facilities and trained therapist available, and only licensed occupational, physical, and speech therapist utilize Hippotherapy as a treatment tool. There are a few therapist in the New York and New Jersey area that use this treatment. The extensive list can be found on the American Hippotherapy Associations website.