Ride For Life

WHAT IS HIPPOTHERAPY?

The medical use of the horse which addresses people with neuro motor dysfunction is called hippotherapy and was developed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the 1960s

Hippotherapy comes from the Greek roots hippo-, for horse and the word therapy, thus meaning "therapy with the help of a horse". The horse's pelvis has the same three dimensional movement of the human's pelvis at the walk. The horse's three dimensional movement is carefully graded at the walk in each treatment for the patient. This three dimensional movement provides physical and sensory input, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The variability of the horse's gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of input to the patient and utilize this movement in combination with other treatment strategies to achieve desired therapy goals or functional outcomes. In addition, the three-dimensional movement of the horse's pelvis leads to a movement response in the patient's pelvis which is similar to the movement patterns of human walking. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities and address functional outcomes and therapy goals.

Hippotherapy can only be provided by a licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech and language pathologist. Hermien Jooste obtained her Horse mastership Certificate in 1988 at SANIC and Anneri Weyers is a registered nurse at SG Lourens Nursing College. Adults and children with disabilities can improve their posture, muscle tone, coordination, balance, sensory/motor development as well as speech and language skills when hippotherapy is incorporated into a total care plan for a patient.

Physical therapists who have had special training in hippotherapy will incorporate the three dimensional movement of the horse to achieve gait training goals, balance goals, postural/core control goals, and strengthing and stretching. Improvement in gross motor skills and functional activities for developing children with disabilities are gained as the natural environment and variability of the horse's gait present as new and unique to a child. Coordination and balance as well as equilibrium skills are addressed through the variability of the horse's movement as well as the rhythm, tempo and cadence of the horse’s movement. In Occupational therapy a specially trained occupational therapist will incorporate hippotherapy, the movement of the horse, to modulate and organize the sensory systems. Sensory processing via hippotherapy simultaneously addresses the vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual, olfactory, and auditory systems. The occupational therapist will incorporate the movement of the horse, hippotherapy, to modulate the sensory system in preparation for a therapy or treatment goal and lead to a functional activity. The reciprocal three dimensional movement of the horse helps with the development of fine motor skills, visual motor skills, bilateral control and cognition as well.

Although many people associate hippotherapy with physical therapy, hippotherapy as a speech and language therapy strategy is growing more common. Hippotherapy uses a horse to accomplish traditional speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing goals. Carefully modulated, well-cadenced equine movement offers an effective means of addressing speech and language deficits through facilitation of the physiological systems that support speech and language function. Utilizing hippotherapy, appropriate sensory processing strategies have been integrated into the treatment to facilitate successful communication.

Some medical conditions for which hippotherapy may be commonly indicated are listed below. However, hippotherapy is not for every patient; specially trained Physical or Occupational Therapists or Speech and Language Pathologists evaluate each potential patient on an individual basis as per their professional designation and within their scope of practice. There are specific contraindications and precautions for some conditions and diagnosis: Autism spectrum disorders, Cerebral palsyvascular accident (stroke), Developmental delay, Down syndromespinal curvature (scoliosis), Learning or language disabilities, Multiple sclerosis, Sensory processing disorders, Traumatic brain injury.