

Occupational Therapy: Hippotherapy
We may want to consider hippotherapy as the treatment strategy if the prospective participant may or may not already be receiveing tradtional occupational therapy as the goals related to participation are physical, behavioral, sensorimotor, commuicative.
Focuses on individual needs to improve abilities to function in their daily environment.
Goals are to increase functional performance through gains in mobility, posture, balance, motor planning, strength, coordination.
Outcomes may include but are not limited to:
midline orientation
shoulder/hip stabilization
head/trunk control
bilateral coordination & balance
endurance & mobility
improve muscle tone
increase respiratory functioning
facilitate normalized functional gait
sensory processing/sensory integration
develpment of functional communication skills
muscle strengthening
improve multisystem processing
motor/cognitive planning, preplanning and sequencing
fine motor control/dexterity
Therapist's use this treatment stategy utilizing the movment of the horse and equine assisted activities to influence therapy based goals. The horse influences the client to produce the response.
Cost: Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy incorporated by a physical, occupational or speech therapist and is often covered by insurances. Subject to benefit verification and the descretion of the therapist.