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

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

3. 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

4. What is Hippotherapy?

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. How can you get involved?
Volunteer!
Continue with equine science related studies
Research Therapeutic Riding minors at colleges

15. 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!

16. 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

17. Thank you!