For children who struggle with movement, communication or sensory regulation, traditional therapy settings aren’t always the right environment to make meaningful progress. Hippotherapy takes therapy outside the clinic and onto a horse, using purposeful movement to help children meet developmental goals in a way that feels engaging rather than clinical. Hippotherapy is a therapeutic treatment using horse movement to improve neurological and physical function in patients.
“Hippotherapy is the use of purposeful manipulation of equine movement in treatment by Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Language Pathology (SLP) professionals to improve patients’ functional therapy goals,” explains Stephanie Gross, a physical therapist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo.
The rhythmic movement of a horse provides “sensory input that is needed to help a patient regulate their sensory system, which then allows them to focus on the task at hand,” Gross said. She noted that achieving that level of engagement can be difficult in a traditional clinic setting.
How Hippotherapy differs from therapeutic riding
Hippotherapy is often confused with therapeutic riding, but the two serve different purposes. “Therapeutic riding is provided by a certified instructor whose goal is teaching persons with disabilities to ride,” said Patty Wolff, owner of TimberWolff Stables, which provides horses and facilities for hippotherapy sessions in the Toledo area. “Hippotherapy is provided by a certified therapist… whose goal is using the horse to provide therapy.”
In hippotherapy, the horse is not the focus of instruction. Instead, therapists use the horse’s movement as a treatment tool, carefully directing speed, direction and patterns to support each child’s goals.
Who can benefit
Hippotherapy is commonly used with children who have cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, scoliosis and motor or speech- language impairments. It can also support children who need postural training or core strengthening.
“Hippotherapy can support goals such as sensory regulation, core and lower extremity strengthening, increasing hip range of motion, improving flexibility, balance training and postural training,” said Gross.
The role of the horses
At TimberWolff Stables, horses are carefully selected and trained for therapy work. Wolff said horses are chosen based on temperament and size and they undergo specific training to prepare them for therapy work.
“Horses need to be calm and prepared for unknowns as children can be unpredictable in their movements and voices,” she said.
Why it works for many kids
Both Gross and Wolff said motivation plays a major role in why hippotherapy can be effective. “Many look at it as horseback riding not therapy and don’t realize how hard they are working as they are having fun,” Wolff said.
How families can get started
To participate, children must meet certain safety requirements, including age and weight guidelines, and therapists review medical history to identify any precautions. Families interested in hippotherapy should start by talking with their child’s therapist or health care provider to determine whether it may be an appropriate option.
For Toledo families, hippotherapy offers a unique approach that blends clinical expertise with movement and connection — helping some children make meaningful progress in a setting that feels both supportive and empowering.
