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Hippotherapy is gaining more and more attention in the medical world, and for good reason. It’s an effective treatment for a range of physical and cognitive impairments, and is fast becoming the go-to therapy for physical and occupational therapists. But what is hippotherapy, and what are its positive benefits?

Hippotherapy is the use of the specific movements of a horse (the ‘hippo’), to aid in neurological and physical rehabilitation. It has been in existence since the late 19th century, when it was used to treat soldiers who had been injured in the Franco-Prussian War. Since then, its popularity has only grown. Hippotherapy is now used to treat conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, autism, Parkinson’s disease, post-stroke weakness, traumatic brain injury, and many other physical and cognitive impairments.

The positive benefits of hippotherapy are numerous and varied. Physically, hippotherapy can help the body gain strength and improve balance and coordination. The movement of the horse provides deep pressure stimulation to the core muscles of the body, which stimulates changes in the way the body moves. This helps to promote movement of the limbs, improve posture and stability, and better overall coordination. Additionally, the horse also provides a source of tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular stimulation to the body, which can help to improve reflexes and reduce pain.

Cognitively, hippotherapy can help to improve communication, executive functioning, problem-solving abilities, and sensory integration. The horse movement can stimulate the areas of the brain responsible for emotion control, language development, and cognitive skills. The therapist can also use games and activities to further enhance communication and social skills.

In short, hippotherapy is an effective therapy for a wide variety of physical and cognitive impairments. It is gaining popularity in the medical world due to its proven effects to improve coordination, posture, balance, communication, and overall well-being. The range of hippotherapy’s positive benefits is vast and continues to be explored.