Hippotherapy (Therapeutic Horseback Riding)
Uses the movement of a horse to improve posture, balance, coordination, strength, and sensory processing in a therapeutic setting.
What Is Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy uses the rhythmic, three-dimensional movement of a horse as a therapeutic tool. The horse's walk produces movement patterns in the rider's pelvis that are similar to human walking, stimulating postural responses, balance reactions, and core strength.
Sessions are led by a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist with specialized hippotherapy training. The therapist directs the horse's movement and the rider's position to target specific therapeutic goals.
Therapeutic riding programs may also offer adaptive riding lessons focused on horsemanship skills, social participation, and recreation. Both hippotherapy and adaptive riding have therapeutic benefits, but hippotherapy is specifically treatment-focused.
Who Benefits from Hippotherapy?
cerebral palsy
Improves trunk control, sitting balance, pelvic mobility, and overall posture. The horse's movement provides input that simulates typical walking patterns.
autism
Provides calming sensory input, improves body awareness, builds social engagement with the horse and handler, and increases motivation for therapeutic activities.
down syndrome
Strengthens core muscles, improves balance and coordination, and provides a motivating environment for developing postural control.
multiple sclerosis
Improves balance, core strength, and walking ability. The warm body of the horse and the rhythmic movement can reduce spasticity.
What to Expect in a Session
First Session
An assessment includes evaluation of physical abilities, safety considerations, and rider-horse matching. The therapist explains the program and sets individualized goals.
Ongoing Sessions
The rider sits on the horse while the therapist guides activities — reaching for objects, changing positions, catching/throwing balls — all while the horse walks. A trained horse handler leads the horse.
Your Child's Role
Your child sits on the horse and responds to its movement while engaging in therapeutic activities directed by the therapist. Many children find this highly motivating.
Caregiver's Role
Caregivers observe sessions and may be asked to assist with mounting/dismounting. You'll learn about how the horse's movement targets specific therapeutic goals.
When to Start
Early Childhood (0-5)
Children can begin hippotherapy as young as age 2-3, depending on their head and trunk control. The minimum requirement is sufficient head control to safely sit on a horse with support.
School Age (6-17)
Excellent age for hippotherapy as children are more engaged and can participate in more complex activities on horseback.
Adults (18+)
Adults benefit from hippotherapy for core strengthening, balance, and pain management. Therapeutic riding programs welcome riders of all ages.
General guidance: Hippotherapy works best as a supplement to regular physiotherapy or occupational therapy, not a replacement. It provides unique sensory and motor input that land-based therapy cannot replicate.
| Item | Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Assessment | $100–$200 | Equine-assisted therapy intake assessment |
| Per Session | $80–$120 | 30-45 minutes |
| Insurance | Rarely covered by private insurance; may be partially covered if provided by a registered PT or OT | |
| Tax Credit | May qualify for METC if prescribed by a physician and delivered by a registered therapist | |
Money-Saving Tips
- Many therapeutic riding centres are registered charities offering subsidized or bursary-funded sessions
- Some organizations like CanTRA member centres offer financial assistance programs
- Ask about volunteer-supported group sessions which are often more affordable
| Province | Status | Program | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC | Not Funded | — | Not covered by public programs; autism funding may be applied if delivered by a registered health professional. |
| AB | Limited | FSCD | May be funded under FSCD if delivered by a registered physiotherapist or OT as part of a treatment plan. |
| SK | No data | — | — |
| MB | No data | — | — |
| ON | Not Funded | — | Not publicly funded; some families use Passport Program or OAP funding to cover costs at accredited centres. |
| QC | No data | — | — |
| NB | No data | — | — |
| NS | No data | — | — |
| PE | No data | — | — |
| NL | No data | — | — |
| NT | No data | — | — |
| NU | No data | — | — |
| YT | No data | — | — |
Evidence & Research
Hippotherapy has moderate evidence supporting improvements in balance, posture, and gross motor function, particularly for cerebral palsy. A growing body of research also supports benefits for autism (social engagement, sensory processing) and multiple sclerosis (balance, walking). More large-scale studies are needed.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of any provider who:
- The therapist is not a registered health professional (PT, OT, or SLP) with hippotherapy certification
- Safety equipment (helmets) is not required or properly fitted
- The horses are not specifically trained for therapeutic work and are unpredictable
- There is no individualized treatment plan — everyone does the same activities regardless of needs
- The facility does not have liability insurance or follow Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) standards
How to Find a Provider
- 1
Search the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) directory at cantra.ca for accredited centres
- 2
Ask your physiotherapist or OT if they know of hippotherapy programs in your area
- 3
Contact your local therapeutic riding centre to ask if they have therapist-led hippotherapy (not just adaptive riding)
- 4
Check with your provincial disability organization for a list of therapeutic riding programs
- 5
Ask other parents in your disability support network for recommendations
Conditions That Use Hippotherapy
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