Chapter 55 Hippotherapy

OVERVIEW.

Hippotherapy is an intervention that uses equine (horse) movement to improve a patient’s neurological function. The patient engages in controlled, enjoyable, and challenging activity while riding on a horse. The intent is not to improve horse riding skills.¹ Horses provides sensory input through their movement. The movements are thought to mimic movements occurring during human gait.

SUMMARY: CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS.

Two sources cited a total of 17 concerns for hippotherapy. Lelong et al ² cited one concern (for horse allergies), whereas Strauss³ listed 17. The largest proportion of concerns was for persons with neurological diseases (35%) and included issues such as the riding-related risks with epilepsy, spasticity-related sitting difficulties, or the concern of aggravating an existing condition (e.g., increased spasticity; fatigue-related deterioration). Horse allergy concerns were cited by both sources. Lelong et al² advised that children be monitored for sensitivity.