Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy literally means “treatment with the help of the horse,” from the Greek word “hippos” meaning horse. In hippotherapy, specially trained occupational, physical, or speech therapists use the multi-dimensional movement of the horse to simulate a “normal” human gait pattern, allowing the patient to learn new movement strategies similar to those used in walking, crawling, or performing daily activities. In addition, the natural setting, presence of the horse, and continually changing environment stimulat the senses, promote active problem-solving, and make therapy fun.

Each hippotherapy session consists of up to 30 minutes mounted on the horse and 15 minutes of dismounted activity. Specific rising skills are not taught, as they are in therapeutic riding; rather, the therapist uses treatment techniques specific to his or her discipline in combination with the unique tool of the horse’s movement to improve neurological and sensory processing which carries over into improved functioning in daily activities.

If you are interested in entering a San Diego Hippotherapy program, please contact us at (760)440-0286. A physician’s prescription and referral are required prior to beginning therapy. We will make every effort to accommodate you, however, just as with any treatment strategy, hippotherapy is not the most effective or safest treatment for everyone. We will review specific precautions and guidelines with you prior to determining if an evaluation is appropriate.