The term hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes. Best practice dictates that occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals integrate hippotherapy into the patient’s plan of care, along with other therapy tools and/or strategies.
Hippotherapy is an occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement as part of an integrated intervention program to achieve functional outcomes. Equine movement provides a unique treatment modality that is multidimensional and can be either rhythmic & repetitive or novel & variable depending upon the clients need. The horse can be used during treatment to facilitate achievement of a number of therapeutic goals. Occupational Therapy treatment sessions utilizing hippotherapy are conducted on site at our full service clinic.