Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy (HPOT) is a therapeutic approach that utilizes the movement of horses to assist in the treatment of patients with various physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. This technique is employed by specially trained physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists, who integrate the horse's movements into their treatment plans to address specific impairments and functional limitations. Originating in Germany in the 1960s, hippotherapy gained prominence when equestrian athlete Liz Hartel shared her recovery journey from polio, showcasing the therapeutic potential of horseback riding.
By the early 1970s, the practice spread to the United States and is now recognized in twenty-four countries. Patients benefiting from HPOT include individuals with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, and traumatic brain injury. The rhythmic motion of the horse helps improve balance, posture, and muscle tone, while also enhancing psychological and emotional well-being. While there are some skeptics regarding the efficacy of hippotherapy, many practitioners report positive outcomes. Additionally, it is important to note that hippotherapy differs from therapeutic riding, which focuses primarily on recreational aspects rather than targeted therapeutic goals. Overall, hippotherapy represents an evolving field within the broader category of equine-assisted activities and therapies, contributing to patient wellness and recovery.
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Subject Terms
Hippotherapy
According to the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), hippotherapy (HPOT) refers to “the use of the movement of the horse as a strategy by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. This strategy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.” HPOT is used as part of an overall treatment strategy for persons with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Specially trained professionals use the various movements of the horse as a tool to help them carry out their therapeutic goals.
Overview
The relationship between horses and humans dates back some 6,000 years, when horses were first domesticated. However, the use of horses in physical therapy began only in the 1960s in Germany. The therapeutic value of horses first gained attention when Liz Hartel, who won a silver medal in equestrian sports at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics told the world how horseback riding helped her recover from polio. In the United States, the therapeutic use of horses in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology dates to the early 1970s. As of the early twenty-first century, HPOT is practiced and recognized in twenty-four nations. Professional therapists use the movements of the horse as a therapeutic tool as other therapists would use balls and other objects. Patients using HPOT include those with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, autism, Down syndrome, and developmental delays.
The rhythmic motions of the horse can be highly useful in improving balance, posture, muscle tone, and flexibility. The rider sits in any of a number of positions, even sideways or backwards; the patient may be performing actions such as stretching, reaching, or catching a ball. For those who lack the use of their legs for walking, the horse’s gait closely replicates the motion of the human hip. Thus, this therapy improves the sensorimotor integration of nonambulatory patients, giving these individuals the feeling and confidence of walking without the aid of a wheelchair or being otherwise confined, as they would be in a hospital.
Therapeutic riding differs from HPOT in that it is primarily supervised recreational riding; however, both HPOT and therapeutic riding offer important emotional and psychological benefits to the patient. HPOT is still a relatively new therapeutic modality; as such, some professionals are skeptical of it. Although more research is needed to prove the benefits of HPOT, practitioners see benefits first hand. AHA is part of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International), which until 2011 was known as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The organization’s new name reflects the growth of HPOT and recreational therapy, both of which make up the equine-assisted activities and therapies (EEAT) industry. PATH International is part of HETI, the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International. In addition, Horse & Human Research Foundation sponsors research on how horses can benefit the health and wellness of people.
Bibliography
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