MISSON STATEMENT
Therapy on Hooves’ mission is to facilitate growth, recreation, and community by enhancing children and adults’ quality of life through the use of therapy and equine movement in a safe and supportive environment.
Therapy on Hooves offers occupational services, in a traditional clinic setting, as well as in an enriching nature-based setting. We also offer equine movement and interaction where appropriate.
Hippotherapy is a term frequently used to describe when a therapist utilizes equine movement as a treatment tool in OT, PT, and SLP, however it is not a standalone therapy service.
The Occupational Therapist will incorporate Hippotherapy and is a member of The American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). The AHA is a group of medical professionals (physical, occupational, speech therapists, and mental health counselors) and others who are interested in the use of equine movement as a treatment strategy. AHA is an affiliate partner of PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International), a national non-profit organization.
ABOUT THERAPY ON HOOVES
What is Hippotherapy?
The term Hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.
Best practice dictates that occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals integrate hippotherapy into the patient’s plan of care, along with other therapy tools and/or strategies.
Unlike therapeutic horseback riding (where specific riding skills are taught), the movement of the horse is a means to a treatment goal when utilizing Hippotherapy as a treatment strategy.