Hippotherapy at Special Strides
When used in conjunction with NDT, Sensory Integration, and other treatment strategies a complete treatment plan is formulated. Physical & Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists use the equine movement to elicit change in individuals with the following medical conditions:
And with the following impairments commonly associated with these conditions:
Equine movement is the crucial component of equine facilitated therapy. This amazing multidimensional movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive, provides a dynamic base of support making it an excellent tool for increasing trunk control and strength, balance, postural control and endurance as well as weightbearing and motor planning. When an individual sits astride a horse, the horse’s 
walking gait imparts a movement response similar to normal human gait which has an immediate impact on their balance, coordination and timing, grading of postural responses and physiological functioning. The physical therapist can use this movement toaddress the motor needs of each patient and to promote functional outcomes in skill areas related to gross motor ability such as sitting, standing and walking. The occupational therapist is able to combine the effects of the movement with other standard intervention strategies for working on fine motor control, sensory integration, feeding skills, attentional skills, and functional daily living skills in a progressively challenging manner. Together with the equine professional, the therapist is able to manipulate various aspects of the 
horse’s gait and movements, the patient’s position on the horse, the therapeutic tack and types of activities to generate effective remediation and to promote functional outcomes.
At Special Strides, a comprehensive treatment plan is developed that integrates the movement of the horse with traditional physical and occupational therapy treatment strategies. The student is able to engage in play and motor skill acquisition activities in our natural sensory environment. Therapeutic goals are achieved through the use of our specially designed sensory/motor playground, trampolines, log swing, zip line and pogo swing.