What is Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. Internationally, hippotherapy means “treatment with the help of the horse” and is derived from the Greek word “hippos”, meaning horse. PT’s, OT’s, and SLP’s in North America have integrated hippotherapy in medically necessary treatment sessions that have been prescribed by physicians in the United States since the 1970’s. The horse’s unmatched three-dimensional movement provides vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile stimulation to enhance focus, attentions span, verbal output, postural strength and more.
