{"id":9227,"date":"2022-07-11T06:00:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/summit-education.com\/blog\/?p=9227"},"modified":"2024-06-18T14:55:46","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T20:55:46","slug":"benefits-of-incorporating-hippotherapy-into-your-therapy-sessions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/summit-education.com\/blog\/general\/benefits-of-incorporating-hippotherapy-into-your-therapy-sessions\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of Incorporating Hippotherapy Into Your Therapy Sessions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.48″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.19.10″]<\/p>\n

Written By: Melissa Jean Jarzynski, MSPT, HPCS, ESMHL<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Animal-assisted therapies and interventions have been increasingly popular over the past decade. However, hippotherapy still remains an area of mystery and confusion. But that starts to change now!<\/p>\n

Hippotherapy is the partnership of equine movement in physical, occupational, or speech therapy sessions. The movement of the horse, when paired correctly to the movements of your client, can promote lasting functional gains.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some gains you may see are:<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Physical:
<\/u><\/strong>– Improvements in overall strength
– Enhanced endurance
– Improved digestion & respiration
– Increased timing of protective righting reactions<\/p>\n

Sensory:
<\/strong>– Improved vestibular tolerance
– Positive exposure to sensory stimulation
– Increase in self-regulation skills<\/p>\n

Emotional:
<\/u><\/strong>– Decrease in Anxiety
– Improved confidence
– Improved sense of self<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>You might be thinking WOW that all sounds amazing, but how is it possible?<\/p>\n

The difference between partnering with horses and utilizing other strategies is simple. You will be partnering your client with a living, sentient being. No other treatment strategy, to date, does this with the same profound impacts of the horse.<\/p>\n

It may look or seem magical; however, it is simply a partnership. And this partnership of systems has been backed by years of research.<\/p>\n

Of course, just like anything else, these greater rewards come with a greater risk. The therapist in these sessions needs to not only understand the human body systems but also that of the horse. And then pair accordingly. Because of this, it is important to remember:<\/p>\n