HIPPOTHERAPYMarsha Berger Grant PT, DPT

Deb Saffren OTR/L

DefinitionHippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement as part of an integrated intervention program to achieve functional outcomes. The horses movements provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. It has been practiced in North America since the 1970s and is practiced in many countries throughout the world.

Hippotherapist? Misnomer Any PT, OT or SLP who uses a horse as a

modality can do hippotherapy, but there are no hippotherapists.

Special Equestrian's Mission

To improve the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals with disabilities through the equine experience.

Special Equestrians at a Glance 32 years of nonprofit service to the community 249 riders in 2013 60 different diagnoses 3,900 lessons in 2013 100+ volunteers per week (+ corporate groups) 14 therapy horses 3 full-time, 14 part-time staff, 2 vocational

workers Participants in research in the field Fees charged to all riders only 50% of cost to SE 30% of riders receive additional tuition assistance

Why equine assisted therapy?

Three dimensional movement of the horse

This 3 D movement leads to an adaptive response in the rider’s pelvis which is similar to the movement patterns of human walking which in turn affects core control and posture.

It is the only therapeutic treatment strategy in which we can provide patients with sustained 3 dimensional movement.

Changing the gait allows for degree of input

The Big Picture Looking at the whole experience of the

rider to make it a safe, fun and successful interaction with the horse and environment to promote increased self esteem and self efficacy.

Specialty Area Goals PTs- promote functional outcomes in skill areas

related to gross motor ability such as sitting, standing, and walking.

OTs -fine motor control, sensory integration, feeding skills, attentional skills, visual perception and functional daily living skills in a progressively challenging manner.

SLP - generate effective remediation of communication disorders and promote functional communication outcomes.

Overlap of all three disciplines in each lesson.

Our Special Therapy Horses

Our Special Therapy Horses

Riders Diagnoses Ages 2+ Weight restrictions

Autism Cerebral Palsy Developmental Delay Arthritis Adults with gait

dysfunction = MS, PD TBI CVA Chromosomal Disorders Sensory Processing

Disorders

Contraindications In dwelling catheter Scoliosis greater than 30 degrees Poor Unsupported Sitting Posture Uncontrolled Grand Mal seizure Combative behavior Unstable hip

Volunteers: At the heart of our success

SIDE WALKERS HORSE LEADERS

SPECIAL EQUIPMENTFor the horse

• Therapy saddle• Rainbow reins• Ladder reins• Black Handle Reins• Devonshire stirrups• Wedges• Boppy pillow

For the rider Safety belt Sensory balls Flash cards

Specific Treatment Goals• Improve posture• Increase balance/core control• Increase ROM• Increase attention span• Decrease anxiety• Improve behavior• Increase safety awareness• Normalize tone• Improve speech• Increase attention, sensory processing• Improve functional grasp, crossing midline

How Do We Measure Success?

Parental response Changes in

Posture Coordination Behavior Communication skills Fine and gross motor abilities

End Hippotherapy goalTo be promoted to therapeutic riding which allows for a lifelong program to maintain gains and to offer a recreational activity for lifelong enjoyment.

THE MOUNTING RAMP

Pediatric Yoga on Horseback

Side angle

Riding from all positions

Sensory Trail Activities

Sensory Trail ActivitiesNoodle Toss

Sensory Trail activitiesCarwash

DocumentationSOAP notes

S: rider’s parent reports rider was sick this weekO: 30 minute hippotherapy session on Bear. Required mod assist of 2 to mount at ramp. Worked on balance with quick stops and starts, reaching across midline with noodle toss and grasping activities with ball drop.A: Weakness noted with increased assistance to mount and postural assist needed at trunk rather than hips. As expected due to illness. P: Continue w/ same horse/tack. Attempt mount with less assist as able

Research Does horseback riding therapy or therapist-

directed hippotherapy rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy?

Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007 Jan;49(1):68-73 Reviewed 11 quantitative studies – 6 for

recreational horseback riding therapy and 5 for hippotherapy

Methodological quality was moderate to good for all studies

Hippotherapy improved gross motor function in all studies

Washington Univ.- St Louis Video: Ride

On St Louis Participates in Hippotherapy & Cerebral Palsy Study at Washington University

Tim Shurtleff OTR/L Measured stability in head and trunk via

computer assisted analysis Riders on mechanical horse, then

lessons, then retest Positive improvements immediately and 6

months post.

Sydney Before and After

SE - research

SE- The happiest Place on Earth“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”Winston Churchill