Hippo Means Horse
By Susan Grant, OTR/L
Knowing I massage horses professionally, some people think I may be offering the same service to a hippopotamus when I remark "I provide hippotherapy." However as all Greco-philes know, “hippo” means horse.

Hippotherapy is a traditional therapy (Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapy) service provided in a non-traditional therapy environment with the use of the horse. While therapeutic horseback riding teaches our riders progressive adaptive riding skills, hippotherapy is provided to students with the expectation that they will show improvements with neurodevelopment and functional skills. As a child’s neurodevelopment progresses, functional skill improvements are typically noted in their ability to walk, play, care for themselves, participate in the classroom and achieve academic success.

As therapists, it becomes increasingly difficult to influence the brain’s recovery of function or stimulate neurodevelopment as our brain ages. Early intervention is the key to success. In hippotherapy we labor to progress neurodevelopment. We are working to improve the function of the rider’s "computer" or brain. Generally speaking, birth to one year of age is the point in time for the most significant brain growth and development. Our brain is our master computer and the foundation for who we are as a human being and individual.

Hippotherapy is highly invigorating to our master computer. Movement and tactile stimulation facilitate brain development. That’s why we swaddle and rock our infants. Swaddling and rocking supply babies’ brains with stimulation that serves as a foundation for brain development and successive skill acquisition. Children with developmental disabilities with subsequent restrictions in their ability to receive movement and tactile stimulation can have delays with balance, motor, cognitive, tactile, visual as well as speech and language skills.

Ever observed a physical or occupational therapy session? Have you noticed how many times therapists use "therapy balls?" The movement of equines acts like a unique therapy ball in that the surface of their back with swinging fore and hind legs provides a three-dimensional dynamic surface. As the horse moves through space carrying our children, we can add to and change movement experiences by changing the position of the child, varying the horse gait, or gait transitions and figures of movement in the ring. Presenting a variety of games and activities to the rider while astride the horse adds challenges and enhances what the movement of the horse is naturally doing.

Hippotherapy is a time-limited service. Generally speaking, hippotherapy is provided in 6-9 month increments. Younger children (2-5 years of age) with significant developmental disabilities may benefit from the provision of hippotherapy if progressive neurodevelopmental improvements continue to be realized. However, there is an expectation that hippotherapy students will evolve to therapeutic riding students and learn the art of self-directing the movement challenges of their horse.

For more information on hippotherapy visit American Hippotherapy Association.

Susan E. Grant, OTR/L is the Director of Hippotherapy at Equest. As an Occupational Therapist, Susan has been working with adults and children with neurodevelopmental delays and neuro trauma for over 25 years.