Introduction to hippotherapy in Perth

Hippotherapy is a therapeutic tool utilised by physiotherapists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to aid clients in achieving their goals.

At Superyou Therapy, our Perth-based physiotherapist, Lily Harris uses hippotherapy as an effective treatment technique for our clients to achieve their mobility goals, with the support of the the RDA Oakford (Riding for the Disabled) team.

What is hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is a treatment technique carried out by specially trained physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists. Hippotherapy utilises the impact of the horse’s movement which mimics the movement of a human pelvis when walking. This graded motor and sensory input from the horse influences the clients movement and facilitates achieving their therapy goals.

Hippotherapy supports a range of different functions, requiring the client to use to stay balanced on the horse while strengthening neural connections for improved movement, control, posture, muscle tone and sensory processing for balance and body awareness.

We currently have no availability for hippotherapy, however we are taking expressions of interest for sessions in 2024. Please complete a referral with your request, and one of our team will be in touch when we can confirm opportunities for 2024.

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Two women walking at a horse stable with a young girl who is sitting on a horse

Hippotherapy vs equine-assisted therapy

While many think of hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy as the same thing, in actuality they are very different tools that support a broad range of needs. The only commonality between them is the use of horses (not hippos!).

Hippotherapy is a treatment tool used by physiotherapists support activity that uses the movement of horses to support mobility goal achievement. The name hippotherapy comes from the Greek word for horse (hippos) and treatment (therapy), and is an evidence-based practice that uses the movement of the horse to influence sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems in clients.

Equine-assisted therapy is a broader, experiential therapy approach that addresses areas like PTSD, substance abuse and addictions, depression and anxiety. Equine-assisted therapy is an effective tool, but isn’t used by physiotherapists to support mobility goals.

Hippotherapy with Superyou

Our Superyou Therapy have recently commence providing hippotherapy in Perth; something we are very proud to see.

Superyou Therapy’s Hippotherapy service is run by our highly-skilled and highly passionate physiotherapist, Lily Harris, who took the reins in bringing this opportunity to our clients. This has been no easy feat, with an extensive process to ensure industry-standard accreditation and training.

A smiling young boy sits on a horse, with two women standing on either side

Sessions are usually done walking. Here, the horse’s legs move at 95 to 110 repetitions per minute which gives the client an opportunity to practice these rhythmic movements with high repetition, changing speed, direction, or amplitude. Throughout each session, it’s this repetition that can improve a client’s ability to sit, walk, climb, run, reach, write, dress, speak, eat and go to the toilet.

To ensure the safety and efficacy of patient sessions, our hippotherapy team includes:

  • A horse handler
  • Two side walkers: Volunteers who walk next to the horse and support each side of the client.
  • RDA coach
  • Therapist: Physiotherapist provides direction to team

Hippotherapy intervention is suited to clients over 3 years of age and older. Suitable candidates for hippotherapy include those who have goals related to walking, standing, strength, coordination, posture and balance. For participants who are funded through the NDIS, their plan must be plan-or-self-managed.

Supporting a range of client needs

Using hippotherapy as a treatment tool can help clients with a variety of goal areas. Research has shown benefits in:

A young boy sits smiling on a horse, with two physiotherapists on either side of him
  • Balance, righting, and equilibrium reactions
  • Normalising muscle tone
  • Strength and endurance
  • Core strength and dynamic postural stability
  • Midline orientation
  • Gait walking and running
  • Transfers
  • Arousal / attention
  • Bilateral integration
  • Hand eye coordination and spatial awareness
  • Motor planning and sequencing
  • Circulation
  • Bladder and bowel control
  • Respiration and saliva control
  • Speech and language
  • Motivation, self-esteem and confidence in client’s own abilities.

The benefits of hippotherapy

A young boy sits on a horse, smiling and hi-fiving a woman standing next to him.

Evidence shows the following populations have had positive outcomes from hippotherapy intervention:

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS I-III)
  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Cancer
  • Down Syndrome
  • Sensory processing disorder
  • Spina Bifida
  • Global developmental delay
  • Dyspraxias and developmental coordination disorder
  • Genetic disorders

Contact us for more about hippotherapy in Perth

At Superyou Therapy, our services are available for anyone with a NDIS plan in and around Perth.

Contact us online, phone us at 08 6263 8623, or email us at hello@superyou.org.au!

Have a question about hippotherapy? Take a look at our FAQs!

A: Hippotherapy is a treatment technique carried out by specially trained physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists. Hippotherapy utilises the impact of the horse’s movement which mimics the movement of a human pelvis when walking. This graded motor and sensory input from the horse influences the clients movement and facilitates achieving their therapy goals.

A: Hippotherapy can be delivered to all clients over 3 years of age however we are limited by the size of horses, clients, and volunteers. Participants with goals related to walking, standing, balance and strength are all suitable candidates for hippotherapy. If participants are funded through the NDIS, their plan must be plan managed or self managed.

Evidence shows the following populations have had positive outcomes from hippotherapy intervention.

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS I-III)
  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Cancer
  • Down Syndrome
  • Sensory processing disorder
  • Spina Bifida
  • Global developmental delay
  • Dyspraxias and developmental coordination disorder
  • Genetic disorders

A: Hippotherapy has been shown to have a variety of benefits for children with disabilities, including:

  • Balance, righting, and equilibrium reactions
  • Normalising muscle tone
  • Strength and endurance
  • Core strength and dynamic postural stability
  • Midline orientation
  • Gait walking and running
  • Transfers
  • Arousal / attention
  • Bilateral integration
  • Hand eye coordination and spatial awareness
  • Motor planning and sequencing
  • Circulation
  • Bladder and bowel control
  • Respiration and saliva control
  • Speech and language
  • Motivation, self-esteem and confidence in own abilities.

A: The frequency of hippotherapy sessions will vary depending on the child’s individual needs and goals.

A: As Hippotherapy is a treatment tool used by our physiotherapist, sessions are billed at the standard NDIS physiotherapy rate $224.62 per hour. Participants need to commit to a 10 week intervention program. You will need a once-off insurance fee to the Riding for the Disabled Centre of $100 for the year or $65 for the initial term and $15 for each subsequent term, if required within the same calendar year.

A: Our 2023 sessions are currently fully booked. Please send your expressions of interest through to hello@superyou.org.au for further screening and waitlist allocation for 2024 sessions:

Thursday afternoons between 12- 3 PM commencing term 2 2024

Location: RDA Oakford – 88 Gossage Rd, Cardup WA 6122

Clients must be willing to commit to 10 weekly sessions during the school term.

Funding: We will require 19 hours of therapy funding for our 10 week term. ($4,267.78)

You are able to use your NDIS funding. We will need 1.66 hours per therapy session. This is inclusive of travel and notes. We also require 1.5 hours for mandatory NDIS reporting (therapy intervention plan and therapy intervention summary) and 1 hour for initial assessment. Services are billed at the NDIS physiotherapy rate $224.62

A: Clients under 3 years old and over 70 kg are unable to participate.

Unfortunately, there are some conditions where hippotherapy is not appropriate.

The following conditions are identified as high risk to participate in hippotherapy/ horse riding. We are unable to provide hippotherapy services for clients with the following diagnosed conditions:

  • Atlanto Axial Instability (unstable neck and/or spine) – Clients with down syndrome need a GP clearance and XRAY.
  • Arnold chiari malformation
  • In swelling catheters
  • Coxa Arthrosis
  • Hemophillia
  • Conditions that cause higher risk of fractures such
  • Osteo Genesis Imperfecta (OGI)
  • Brittle Bones
  • Severe Osteoporosis
  • Any other pathological fractures
  • Uncontrolled tonic clonic seizures
  • Epilepsy (able to participate if seizures are controlled and no seizure activity within past 12 months)
  • Spinal trauma or an unstable spine with high risk of neurological damage or subluxation

The  following conditions MAY have implications for riding:

  • Conditions where sitting astride a horse may cause pain or hip dislocation.
  • Conditions where joints may not sustain repetitive movements.
  • Severe allergies or asthma that may cause anaphylaxis reaction (dust, pollen or animal hair).
  • Spinal fusion with internal fixations.