Why hippotherapy?

  • The quality of human communication depends on the integrity of the physiological systems that support speech and language, both structurally and functionally. The whole body is needed to communicate:

    -Functional arousal: to participate in activities 

    -Postural control: head and trunk control supports the larynx (voice box) and oral motor mechanism, along with the respiratory system

    -Respiratory support: breath produces sustained phonation (voicing) 

    -Motor control and planning: required to produce small movements in the articulators (lips, tongue, jaw) for speech

    -Sensory processing: need well integrated vestibular, tactile, and proprioceptive systems for speech production


    Quality language production (verbal or through augmentative and alternative communication) and language comprehension depends on:

    -Functional arousal: attention

    -Linkage between cognitive and linguistic systems: speech sound system, vocabulary, grammar, pragmatics

    -Access to an efficient symbol system

    -Intact sensory and information processing

    -Systems integration

  • -Sensorimotor regulation

    -Balance

    -Coordination

    -Mobility

    -Communication

    -Speech and language

    -Postural control

    -Postural asymmetry/spinal dysfunction

    -Motor control

    -Oral motor function

    -Arousal

  • There are many medical diagnoses and conditions that benefit from speech therapy that utilizes equine movement (hippotherapy) in therapy activities. Common medical diagnoses and conditions include but are not limited to: 

    -Autism

    -Cerebral Palsy

    -Developmental Delays

    -Down Syndrome

    -Genetic Disorders

    -Sensory Processing Dysfunction

    -Social Communication Disorders

    -Speech/Language Disorders, including articulation/speech sound disorders, language delay, and expressive or receptive language disorders

    -Stroke

    -Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Your child’s pediatrician will complete a medical clearance form prior to utilizing hippotherapy as treatment tool. Contact us for more information.

  • -Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl): https://pathintl.org/

    -American Hippotherapy Association (AHA): https://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/