Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy sessions will return to Winslow by Fall of 2023.  If your need is urgent, please view the American Hippotherapy Association’s website for more information.

Hippotherapy sessions are considered therapy sessions conducted by an Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Speech Language Pathologist, or a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. In order to provide therapy sessions using the equine as a treatment tool, the practitioner must also be certified by the American Hippotherapy Association and have been in clinical practice for at least one year.

Children and adults can benefit from hippotherapy when it is used as part of their overall treatment program. Disabilities that can be treated through traditional physical, occupational, or speech therapy, can be treated through hippotherapy. Examples of such disabilities include but are not limited to: Cerebral Palsy – Multiple Sclerosis – Down Syndrome – Dyspraxia – Stroke Paralysis/Paraplegia – Head Trauma – Spina Bifida – Spinal Cord Injury – Convulsive Disorders – Amputation – Muscular Dystrophy Scoliosis – Arthritis – Autism.

Prior to starting hippotherapy, each potential client must first participate in a screening and a separate evaluation to determine eligibility for services. The evaluation as well as all medical records will need to be reviewed before any services are initiated. The length, frequency, and duration of proposed services will be discussed during the evaluation.