Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Horse Riding

Hippotherapy (from the Greek hippos [horse]) is a form of physical therapy in which a licensed therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse as a therapeutic intervention or tool. Therapeutic horse riding (where specific horse riding skills are taught) is conducted by non-therapist riding instructors and assistants who select target objectives based on the person’s individual physical and social needs.

There is some research evidence of observable benefits in terms of motor ability, balance, and postural adjustment. Horseback riding is particularly popular and addition to its appeal as a fun activity in which horse and rider establish a close relationship, it has the ability to engage people with a wide range of physical difficulties (e.g. cerebral palsy with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–V) and social/communication and cognitive difficulties (e.g. autism and intellectual disability).

The journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology presents five free articles on the subject including two review articles (one a meta-analysis) which illustrate the existing levels of evidence and also the challenges involved in conducting studies in the field. 

Virtual issue:  Hippotherapy and therapeutic horseriding