Occupational & Physical Therapy

Hippotherapy is an evidence-based practice conducted at our barn by specially trained occupational and physical therapists for children and adults with neuromotor, cognitive and/or sensory difficulties.

Therapists use the horse’s movement as a therapy tool to achieve individualized goals aiming to facilitate overall function in a person’s everyday life. The three-dimensional movement of the equine can improve the flexibility, posture, balance, core strength and mobility of the rider.

The focus of each week includes both clinic treatment and mounted activities that build a variety of skills such as gross and fine motor, social interaction and emotion regulation. Specific riding skills are not focused on. Instead, activities create a foundation for improving motor skills, social-emotional skills, cognitive skills and sensory processing abilities.

Occupational and Physical Therapy clients have the opportunity to “graduate” into other programs (i.e. Therapeutic Riding and Silver Saddles) as they gain skills and independence on the horse.