Butterfly Dreams Farm Therapeutic Riding Program Inc.

Hippotherapy FAQ
What is hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses a horses
movements to provide motor and sensory input. Medical professionals use the movement and temperament of
the horse to meet specific goals that cannot be duplicated in a clinical setting. The horses walking gait almost
perfectly simulates the movement a child makes when walking, which allows children with motor deficits to
develop muscle strength, normalize tone and gain endurance. The movement also facilitates improved auditory
and verbal processing, communication and interactive skills.
Where did hippotherapy originate?
Hippotherapy comes from the Greek word hippos (horse) and literally refers to treatment or therapy aided by a
horse. The earliest record of the concept originates in Ancient Greece, but hippotherapy as a formalized
discipline began in the 1960s in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as an addition to traditional physical therapy.
In the late 1980s, the first standardized hippotherapy curriculum was officially formed by a group of Canadian
and American therapists who traveled to Germany to learn about the program. They applied the discipline to
North America, and it was formalized in the U.S. in 1992 with the formation of the American Hippotherapy
Association (AHA).
How exactly does hippotherapy work?
Physical therapists incorporate the horses multi-dimensional movement to achieve gait training,
balance, postural/core control, and strengthening and range of motion goals.
Occupational therapists use the horses movement to improve motor control, coordination, balance,
attention, sensory processing and performance in daily tasks. The therapist incorporates the movement
of the horse to engage the sensory system in preparation for a therapy treatment goal that leads to a
functional activity.
Hippotherapy uses horses to accomplish traditional speech, language, cognitive and swallowing goals.
Children with speech deficits learn to vocalize because they must give commands to the horse, which
builds confidence and strengthens speech clarity.
What are the benefits of hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is a widely accepted treatment modality within medical and educational communities. The unique
combination of the horse, the horse's movement and a non-clinical environment produces an extraordinary
effort on all the systems of the body and allows children to improve functions in a fun way.

Is hippotherapy safe?
Safety is a top priority of the program. All riders are required to wear regulation safety helmets and are
supervised at all times by either a spotter or one to two side-walkers, depending on their functioning ability.
Horses are matched to the riders ability level and are all thoroughly trained.
What kinds of horses are used for hippotherapy?
Any type of breed or horse is eligible for the program, but we only use those that have great attitudes. Most of
our horses are older and have had other previous jobs. It is essential to have a calm horse with a steady rhythmic
pace.
Who teaches the hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is taught by licensed professionals, and BDF has both a speech pathologist and physical therapist.
Are there age requirements for participation in hippotherapy?
Children must be at least two years old to participate in hippotherapy.