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It's all about the movement!
It's all about the movement!
You may have heard the term hippotherapy and wondered what it means—and how it could help your child. Simply put, hippotherapy is either occupational therapy, physical therapy or speech therapy with the utilization of equine movement as a therapy tool to support a child’s progress with their goals. Just like therapists use a ball or a swing to facilitate what we need, we use a horse's movement to do the same!
At Dynamic Strides Therapy, we incorporate hippotherapy into occupational therapy sessions to help children build strength, coordination, and sensory regulation in a way that’s both effective and engaging. The horse can be very motivating!
How Does Hippotherapy Work?
How Does Hippotherapy Work?
The therapist will change the horse's movement and/or the child's positioning to give the child what they need, or challenge them to complete tasks. As a horse walks, its movement mimics the natural motion of the human pelvis. This creates gentle, rhythmic input that may help children improve:
Core strength and postural control
Balance and coordination
Sensory processing and body awareness
Attention, focus, and self-regulation
Confidence and emotional connection
Under the guidance of our licensed occupational therapist, who is AHCB certified, each session is carefully designed to meet your child’s individual therapy goals using the horse’s movement as a tool—this is not just a ride.
Who Can Benefit from Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy can be a powerful part of an OT plan for children with:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Sensory Processing Differences/Disorder
ADHD
Developmental delays
Cerebral palsy
Down's Syndrome
Motor coordination challenges
Emotional or behavioral regulation needs
Many other diagnoses
Why Parents/Caregivers Choose Hippotherapy
Why Parents/Caregivers Choose Hippotherapy
It’s fun and motivating for kids
Provides a natural, multi-sensory experience
Children typically engage longer in OT sessions involving the horse's movement because they are motivated and having fun. and do not realize how hard they are working!
Can build a unique bond between child and horse that boosts emotional well-being
Provides many opportunities for social-emotional learning
For more information, please visit:
For more information, please visit:
FAQs For Families-American Hippotherapy Association
Research Evidene Matrix-American Hippotherapy Association
If you are wondering whether OT can help your child be their best self, please use this LINK to fill out a quick OT screen.
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