Hippotherapy

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Hippotherapy

• Horses as Helpers!
• Ms. Matthews

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What is Hippotherapy?

• What do you know about Hippotherapy?
• What do you think you know about Hippotherapy?
• What dont you know about Hippotherapy?

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Today we will

• Define the term Hippotherapy
• Explain the differences between Hippotherapy and
  Therapeutic Riding
• Explain how Hippotherapy works
• Describe the benefits of Hippotherapy
• Identify medical conditions and impairments that
  can benefit from Hippotherapy
• Identify at least one job opportunity in the area
  of therapeutic riding

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What is Hippotherapy?
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What is Hippotherapy?

• Hippos means horse in Greek
• Literally means treatment with the help of the
  horse
• Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy that
  utilizes equine movement to improve neurological
  and sensory function in an individual with a
  disability

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What is Therapeutic Riding?

• A type of Hippotherapy that uses traditional or
  adaptive riding disciplines
• Encompasses a variety of different methods
  including Hippotherapy

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SoWhats the difference?

• Hippotherapy is specifically using the movement
  of the horse to benefit the patient
• Therapeutic Riding is a general term used to
  describe all levels of benefit that a rider or
  patient can receive from riding a horse

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How does Hippotherapy work?

• Horses provide multidimensional movement
• Variable
• Rhythmic
• Repetitive
• Mirrors natural walking pattern of a human

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What are the Benefits of Hippotherapy?

• Provides a solid base of support to rider
• Improves
• Balance
• Coordination
• Posture Control
• Trunk Strength

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What types of medical conditions can benefit from
Hippotherapy?

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental Delay
• Genetic Syndromes
• Learning Disabilities
• Sensory Integration Disorders
• Speech-Language Disorders
• Traumatic Brain Injury/Stroke

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How is Hippotherapy used?

• Hippotherapy can be used alone for its physical
  benefits or in combination with other activities
  and tasks which fall under Therapeutic Riding

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What types of impairments can benefit from
Hippotherapy?

• Abnormal muscle tone
• Impaired balance responses
• Impaired coordination
• Impaired communication
• Impaired sensorimotor function
• Postural asymmetry
• Poor postural control
• Decreased mobility
• Attention disorders

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What types of jobs are available in the field of
Hippotherapy?

• Speech Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist

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How can you get involved?

• Volunteer!
• http//www.texashorsemansdirectory.com/Therapeutic
  Riding.htmlTRP
• Continue with equine science related studies
• Research Therapeutic Riding minors at colleges

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Activity!

• Groups of 2 or 3
• Create a new poster of what you now know
• Feel free to add any questions that you still
  have remaining!

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What we learned today

• What is Hippotherapy?
• What is the difference between Hippotherapy and
  Therapeutic Riding?
• How does Hippotherapy work?
• Describe a benefit of Hippotherapy
• Identify a medical condition or impairments that
  can benefit from Hippotherapy
• Identify at least one job opportunity in the area
  of therapeutic riding

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Thank you!