Hippotherapy is a form of treatment that utilizes the natural movements of horses to provide graded motor and sensory input. It can be completed by certified occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Let’s take a closer look at how this unique form of therapy works in OT!
Sensory Processing:
- The natural repetitive movement of the horse provides rhythmic sensory input to the rider.
- This movement aids in vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual, and auditory sensory processing.
- By incorporating the use of multiple sensory systems during this treatment, it also helps to integrate these systems to aid in sensory processing and integration.
Postural Control:
- The direct contact of the patient’s pelvis to the horse stimulates the use of the clients core, back, and pelvis.
- The use of slow movements while riding provide a graded level of input to increase the strength of these muscle groups.
- This will in turn help to improve motor control, coordination, balance, and body awareness.
Joint Movement:
- While riding, the child will utilize several joint movements, including their ankles, feet, wrists, and hips.
- By engaging these joints while riding, it will help to increase the child’s range of motion which will aid in their participation in gross and fine motor tasks.
Functional Activities:
- The benefits of hippotherapy all aid in the child’s participation and independence in functional activities.
- Increasing sensory processing and integration will help to improve the child’s attention and regulation during structured activities.
This treatment can be beneficial for individuals with a variety of neurological disabilities, behavioral disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Hippotherapy is utilized by occupational therapists to help improve motor control, coordination, balance, attention, and sensory processing.
Resources
Dolar, B. (2025, April 16). How does hippotherapy influence the way we walk?. Exceptional Equestrians. https://www.exceptionalequestrians.org/blog/how-does-hippotherapy-influence-the-way-we-walk
Koca, T. T., & Ataseven, H. (2016, January 15). What is Hippotherapy? the indications and effectiveness of Hippotherapy. Northern clinics of Istanbul. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5175116/
What is Hippotherapy?. American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (n.d.). https://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/what-is-hippotherapy
