The benefits of hippotherapy

A number of people have asked me what we expect Karter's riding therapy to do for him. What is its intended purpose? I found a great article on the web that explains really well what it is and what the benefits are. I thought that you might be interested in the info.

The Benefits of Hippotherapy

"Hippotherapy offers the potential for improvement in the following areas: arousal and attention, balance strategies, belief in one's functional capabilities, bilateral integration, body awareness, circulation, dynamic postural stability, endurance, expressive or receptive speech and language, midline orientation, mobility of pelvis, spine and hip joints,modification of muscle tonus,motivation, muscle strength, musculoskeletal alignment, neurogenic bladder, neuromotor function, oral-motor function, posture, problem-solving movement strategies in different environments, respiratory function, self confidence, sensorimotor integration, symmetry and alignment, and timing and coordination of motor strategies." (American Hippotherapy Association, 2000) The therapist is able to utilize the movement of the horse to assist during therapy just as a home therapist may utilize the use of a specific toy or therapy ball. This movement is unique and cannot be imitated by any other available therapy equipment.

Why does it work for so many?

Hippotherapy is a multi dimensional therapy in that it allows therapists to address numerous skills at one time. While the patient is riding the horse, they receive constant sensory input from the horse including vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, auditory, olfactory and visual. The vestibular system, the system that controls balance and equilibrium, is stimulated because the patient is on a dynamic surface. The therapist also enhances this input by having the patient change positions on the horse. These positions cause movement in the inner ear, the part of the body that controls balance. By stimulating this area, the ability to process vestibular input improves. Proprioception is the body's ability to know where it is in space. The body receives proprioceptive input when the nerve endings In the muscles and skin are stimulated, which happens when a part of the body is touched or moved, even by gravity or air. Normal functioning systems allow a person to close their eyes and still know where their arm ends, for example. When a person rides a horse the lower extremities receive proprioceptive input from touch the horse. When you add in movement, which causes bouncing the entire body receives this input. The therapist can also enhance this input by having the patient change positions on the horse, having more or less of the body touching the horse. Both of these systems and also the tactile system, work closely together and are all stimulated when a patient is simply trying to maintain balance on the horse in order to not fall off. The touch, sights, sounds and smells of the horse and the barn contribute to stimulating the other sensory systems. During therapy, most of these systems are stimulated on a subcortical level because the patient is focusing on the activity, such as throwing the ball, and not consciously processing the sensory input. Because of this, carryover frequently occurs and integration is morecommon.