Horses as Helpers! Ms. Matthews Hippotherapy Horses as Helpers! Ms. Matthews

What is Hippotherapy? What do you know about Hippotherapy? What do you think you know about Hippotherapy? What don’t you know about Hippotherapy?

Today we will… Define the term Hippotherapy Explain the differences between Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding Explain how Hippotherapy works Describe the benefits of Hippotherapy Identify medical conditions and impairments that can benefit from Hippotherapy Identify at least one job opportunity in the area of therapeutic riding

What is Hippotherapy?

What is Hippotherapy? “Hippos” means horse in Greek Literally means “treatment with the help of the horse” Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement to improve neurological and sensory function in an individual with a disability

What is Therapeutic Riding? A type of Hippotherapy that uses “traditional” or adaptive riding disciplines Encompasses a variety of different methods including Hippotherapy

So…What’s the difference? Hippotherapy is specifically using the movement of the horse to benefit the patient Therapeutic Riding is a general term used to describe all levels of benefit that a rider or patient can receive from riding a horse

How does Hippotherapy work? Horses provide multidimensional movement Variable Rhythmic Repetitive Mirrors natural walking pattern of a human

What are the Benefits of Hippotherapy? Provides a solid base of support to rider Improves: Balance Coordination Posture Control Trunk Strength

What types of medical conditions can benefit from Hippotherapy? Autism Spectrum Disorder Cerebral Palsy Developmental Delay Genetic Syndromes Learning Disabilities Sensory Integration Disorders Speech-Language Disorders Traumatic Brain Injury/Stroke

How is Hippotherapy used? Hippotherapy can be used alone for its physical benefits or in combination with other activities and tasks which fall under Therapeutic Riding

What types of impairments can benefit from Hippotherapy? Abnormal muscle tone Impaired balance responses Impaired coordination Impaired communication Impaired sensorimotor function Postural asymmetry Poor postural control Decreased mobility Attention disorders

What types of jobs are available in the field of Hippotherapy? Speech Therapist Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist

How can you get involved? Volunteer! http://www.texashorsemansdirectory.com/TherapeuticRiding.html#TRP Continue with equine science related studies Research Therapeutic Riding minors at colleges

Activity! Groups of 2 or 3 Create a new poster of “what you now know” Feel free to add any questions that you still have remaining!

What we learned today… What is Hippotherapy? What is the difference between Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding? How does Hippotherapy work? Describe a benefit of Hippotherapy Identify a medical condition or impairments that can benefit from Hippotherapy Identify at least one job opportunity in the area of therapeutic riding

Thank you!