hippotherapy

noun

hip·​po·​ther·​a·​py ˌhi-pə-ˈther-ə-pē 

plural hippotherapies

: therapy to treat neurological, physical, cognitive, or communication deficits in which a patient (as one affected by cerebral palsy, stroke, autism, or multiple sclerosis) sits or lies on the back of a horse for the therapeutic effect of the horse's movement

In hippotherapy, the patient engages in activities on the horse that are enjoyable and challenging. In the controlled hippotherapy environment the therapist modifies the horse's movement and carefully grades sensory input.

—Kelsey Kimbler

Examples of hippotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using horses for speech, occupational and physical therapy is known as hippotherapy. —Kelly Wilkinson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 May 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hippotherapy

noun

hip·​po·​ther·​a·​py ˌhip-ə-ˈther-ə-pē 

: therapy to treat neurological, physical, cognitive, or communication deficits in which a patient (as one affected by cerebral palsy, stroke, autism, or multiple sclerosis) sits or lies on the back of a horse for the therapeutic effect of the horse's movement

Hippotherapy resulted in improvement in postural balance in the sitting position, dynamic balance, and functionality in children with cerebral palsy, an effect particularly significant after 24 hippotherapy sessions.

—Andréa Gomes Moraes et al., Journal of Physical Therapy Science

Hippotherapy can benefit children and adults with sensory processing disorder, autism, motor incoordination, feeding problems, ADHD, behavior issues and self-regulation challenges by strengthening the development of fine visual and sensory motor skills.

—The News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida)