Despite the way it sounds, "hippotherapy" doesn't have anything to do with hippopotamuses. "Hippo" comes from the Greek word meaning "horse," and hippotherapy refers to behavioral therapy techniques that use horses.

The American Hippotherapy Association defines hippotherapy as "a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement as part of an integrated intervention program to achieve functional outcomes." This is different than therapeutic riding, the AHA notes, as therapeutic riding only focuses upon teaching the child to ride a horse.

The principle of hippotherapy is that the horse's presence helps the child focus attention and learn more effectively. Children who have engaged in hippotherapy have experienced increased social functioning, improved speech and language skills, better balance and improved motor function.

Labels: equine-therapy, hippotherapy

Posted By: Aspen/CRC