Why is this called "Hippo" therapy?

• "Hippo" is the Greek work for horse. A hippopotamus is a "water horse."  Hippotherapy is the use of medical quality equine movement during occupational, speech, or physical therapy sessions to help facilitate funcitonal outcomes.

What is Hippotherapy?

• ​According to the American Hippotherapy Association, "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."

Is hippotherapy the same as therapeutic riding?

• No. They are quite different. Therapeutic riding is an adapted horseback riding lesson given by a riding instructor who may or may not have an education beyond a high school diploma. Hippotherapy is rehabilitation treatment provided by a licensed therapist focused on meeting therapy goals.

What are the goals of hippotherapy?​

• Hippotherapy can be a part of a client's integrated plan of care. The goals are your traditional occupational therapy goals which are individualized to each client. Treatment techniques implemented by Help on Hooves address balance, muscle tone, posture, mobility, coordination, sensory registration, modulation of behavior, attention and homeostasis for improved functioning in everyday life routines.​

Who benefits from hippotherapy?​

• People with physical, neurological, behavioral, and developmental delays related to Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Coordination Disorder, Developmental Disability, Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing Disorder, Genetic or Chromosomal Abnormalities and many others have been helped by hippotherapy.

Is there an age limit?​

• Children as young as 2 years old have been involved in hippotherapy. Help on Hooves is currently serving the pediatric population.​

Do you use ponies or horses?​

• We typically do not use ponies as therapy horses because their smaller size produces choppy and irregular movements. Horses produce a quality of movement which assists in making the neurological changes needed to meet therapy goals. 

Is hippotherapy safe?​

• Yes. Help on Hooves utilizes several important safety practices.​

  • The horses receive regular schooling and conditioning, and are re-evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that they remain appropriate for the program and to ensure the quality of movement and a good working temperament.

  • All program horses are evaluated before being accepted into the program and are trained to accept new equipment and props that they may encounter at Help on Hooves. 

  • We enforce a number of humane policies including limiting therapy work horse hours and the amount of weight they carry.

  • Therapy horses are handled by professional horse handlers.

  • Therapists are specially trained to utilize hippotherapy and adhere to the medical guidelines of each client. 

  • Clients wear helmets when on or around the horse.

  • All clients, families and staff must sign an agreement to follow basic barn safety rules.

Is there anyone that cannot participate in hippotherapy?​

• The American Hippotherapy Association has published the following list of diagnoses that are contraindications to hippotherapy. If concerns arise regarding a particular diagnosis not listed please contact Help on Hooves for more information. This list includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Atlantoaxial Instabilities - a displacement of the C1 vertebra in relation to the C2 vertebra as seen on x-ray or computed tomography of significant amount (generally agreed to be greater than 4 mm for a child) with or without neurologic signs as assessed by a qualified physician; this condition is seen with diagnoses which have ligamentous laxity such as Down syndrome or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

  • Pathologic fractures without successful treatment of the underlying pathology (e.g. severe osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, bone tumor, etc.)

  • Spinal Fusion

  • Cranial Deficits

  • Coxa Arthrosis - degeneration of the hip joint; the femoral head is flattened and functions like a hinge joint versus a ball and socket joint. Sitting on the horse puts extreme stress on the joint

  • Seizure Disorders not controlled with medications

  • Chiari II malformation with neurologic symptoms

  • Hemophilia with a recent history of bleeding episodes

  • Indwelling urethral catheters

  • Active mental health disorders that would be unsafe (fire setting, animal abuse, violent behavior, etc.)

  • Acute herniated discs with or without compression

  • Medical conditions during acute exacerbations (rheumatoid arthritis, herniated nucleus pulposis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, etc.)

  • Open wounds over a weight-bearing surface

  • Tethered cord with symptoms

  • Unstable spine or joints including unstable internal hardware

What about Helmets?​

• Help on Hooves has helmets to loan to clients who are working with horses. We have a variety of sizes for use by clients; however some clients may wish to purchase their own helmet. Please consult your therapist regarding appropriate and approved safety helmets for use in treatment.​

How do we get started?​

• Treatment at Help on Hooves begins with an intake phone call followed by your review and completion of our registration forms. The initial evaluation session is scheduled after the completed registration paperwork is returned. Should you have any questions, please email or call Help on Hooves, we will be happy to guide you through this process.​

What happens if I need to cancel?​

• All services are by appointment only. There will be a late cancellation fee if 24 hours notice is not provided. The fee will be due by you before your next scheduled appointment. Due to the limited number of service time slots available at Help on Hooves, we regret that if you have a scheduled session and fail to call and cancel, we reserve the right to charge the full session fee and/or terminate therapy. You are encouraged NOT to attend in unsafe weather conditions or if you are feeling ill, however a phone call indicating your absence should be made to our voicemail (850) 816-0632 to avoid a no-show fee and/or service termination. 

Is special clothing necessary?​

• Therapy sessions will be happening in a natural stable environment, therefore certain clothing will facilitate your comfort during treatment; long pants, socks, enclosed shoes (no sandals), sun protection, and appropriate seasonal clothing.

Is it OK to observe?​

• Yes. You are welcome to bring others to watch your child's therapy as long as you call and get approval by Help on Hooves. All who observe the program are asked to sign our visitor log and follow posted rules. Please contact Help on Hooves if you have any questions regarding confidentiality.

How about siblings?​

• For everyone's safety, all children must be under control and in appropriate waiting areas at all times. If your assistance is required in treatment sessions and you have brought other children, it is your responsibility to provide alternative supervision for them.

Do you accept insurance?

• At this time, Help on Hooves is a private pay based business. We can provide super bills. We are an approved provider for the Family Empowerment Scholarship formally known as the Gardiner Scholarship.