Hippotherapy is a form of physiotherapy treatment which utilises the horse’s movement to achieve the desired responses in a client. It is undertaken by Chartered Physiotherapists and Chartered Occupational Therapists (OT) who have completed further in-depth post-registration training, through the ACPEA Hippotherapy Equine Facilitated Therapy Course, and who are fully insured to work within their extended Scope of Practice.

Hippotherapy utilises the movement generated by the walking equine to replicate the sensory input/motor output of the human pelvis during active walking. The goal is not to teach horse-riding skills, but that the horse provides a dynamic base of support upon which the client learns to control and co-ordinate their responses. The therapist can position the client on the horse in a variety of positions (e.g. astride facing forwards or backwards; sideways sitting; lying supine or prone; kneeling etc.) and the therapist can apply neuro-developmental and sensory integration techniques to help develop balance and postural reactions.

The therapist directs and is responsible for a highly trained team: the equine will have been carefully assessed and selected for its temperament and individual movement quality; a horse handler under the therapist’s guidance will control the speed and direction of the equine; a side walker will walk alongside the client to assist/support as required.

Often specialist equipment will be chosen by the therapist to maximise the transfer of the horse’s movement and warmth to the client e.g. a soft sheepskin sitting pad will be used in the place of a traditional saddle.

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Our Purpose

 

Hippotherapy can benefit children and adults with both physical and cognitive disabilities. Hippotherapy is not appropriate in all conditions or cases. A full physiotherapy assessment is necessary to establish the appropriateness of the intervention for each client.
 

Hippotherapy can benefit many client groups, but children with Cerebral Palsy are a significant group, and benefits such as improvements in gross motor function and enhanced head and trunk control have, in small studies, been shown to occur. Hippotherapy has also been seen to have had positive benefit for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Hippotherapy sessions can help to improve: 
Head and Trunk control

Posture

Muscle tone

Core Stability Motor Skills

Coordination Walking Pattern

Balance

Exercise Tolerance

Chronic Pain

Confidence in Movement Activities

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How We Measure Success

 

Hippotherapists use objective outcome measures to track progress and evaluate the success of hippotherapy. These may be tailored to meet the specific needs of each participant and related to their own goals.