What is Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy literally means “treatment with the help of a horse”.  Hippotherapy is the use of a horse’s movement as a treatment tool to address motor, sensory, and perceptual impairments present in children with neuromusculoskeletal deficits.   It is performed by a licensed professional therapist, which makes it distinct form therapeutic riding.  The therapist assesses the child’s developmental disabilities, provides hands- on intervention while the child is on the horse, and establishes functional carryover of skills to the child’s activities of daily living.  While positioned on the horse, the child feels the rhythmic, repetitive and variable movement of the horse walking, much like the movement pattern of a person’s pelvis during a normal gait pattern.  The child responds to this dynamic surface with postural adjustments equilibrium, reactions, sensory integration, normalization of muscle tone, and overall strengthening all while interacting with a gentle, lovable, furry, four legged creature.

Who benefits from Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy can benefit children with high, low or fluctuating muscle tone, impaired balance responses, decreased coordination, sensorimotor dysfunction, poor postural control, decreased mobility and attention disorders. Diagnoses may include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spina bifida, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, developmental delay, genetic syndromes, Autism and sensory integration disorder.

Lessons

Hippotherapy Lessons will be offered weekly at Shady Hollow Assisted Riding beginning in late April 2011.  All students must have a prescription from their physician and an evaluation with our physical therapist prior to their first lesson.  A one-time Registration fee of $25 is required for all new students.  Forms are available on our website.

Hippotherapy Evaluation Fee: $120.00

The evaluation is an assessment of strength, range of motion, functional mobility, balance, equilibrium reaction and assesses posture. The evaluation is done at Shady Hollow with our physical therapist; the process is about an hour.

Hippotherapy ½ Hour Lesson:  $72.00