Hippotherapy
What is hippotherapy?Hippotherapy (from the Greek "hippo" meaning "horse") is physical therapy utilizing the unique qualities of the horse as a therapy tool. Hippotherapy is done by an Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists (OT, PT, ST) who has been specially trained to use the movement of the horse to facilitate improvements in their client/patient. It does not teach the individual how to ride the horse. Hippotherapy provides the patient with a fun and stimulating way to learn or re-learn skills that have been lost or compromised.
What is the difference between Hippotherapy and Therapeutic riding?
A licensed therapist in Occupational, Physical, or Speech therapy, who has specific training, provides hippotherapy. The goals are therapy directed such as improving balance, coordination, posture, fine motor control, improving articulation, and increasing cognitive skills. Therapeutic Riding teaches the rider to control the horse with such skills as reining, use of aids, and stable management.
How do I go about enrolling in Hippotherapy?
You can contact Elizabeth Camp, OTRL, at Touchstone Therapy at 704.889.7828.
When are therapy services offered?
Our hippotherapy program operates on Friday afternoons. Please click here to see our schedule for exact therapy service dates.
How much does it cost?
There are two fees associated with this program offering. Please contact Touchstone Therapy for more information at 704.889.7828 regarding their fees.
LifeSpan Farm – TRC fees are $150 for six weeks of 30 minute therapy services. You are required to complete a session registration form for each session and return it by the deadline along with a $25 non-refundable deposit, which will be credited towards your session cost. If we do not receive the session registration form by the due date we will assign another participant to that therapy service time. Session cost minus the $25 non-refundable deposit is due at the first therapy service. For example, a session costs $150 minus $25 deposit leaving a balance of $125 due at first therapy service.
