Hippotherapy and Autism

Living with autism comes with a unique set of challenges and obstacles. Even though autistic people are intelligent, they learn and communicate differently than people around them. This can cause them to struggle socially, at school, and in the work environment. While there is no medication to cure autism, many therapies have arisen to help autistic people live better lives. Among these options is hippotherapy, which is therapy using horse riding to promote better balance,...
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Living with autism comes with a unique set of challenges and obstacles. Even though autistic people are intelligent, they learn and communicate differently than people around them. This can cause them to struggle socially, at school, and in the work environment. While there is no medication to cure autism, many therapies have arisen to help autistic people live better lives. Among these options is hippotherapy, which is therapy using horse riding to promote better balance, coordination, and strength. In addition to helping physically, hippotherapy is often combined with occupational, physical, and speech therapies to make learning easier for people with autism. The benefits of hippotherapy were first noticed by Greek philosopher Hippocrates, though the ideas would not be explored more until centuries later. The unique rhythm of a horse allows sensory input that interacts with the nervous system. This input makes it easier for someone to learn, which is the reason hippotherapy is often used along with speech, physical, and occupational therapy to make learning easier. Hippotherapy has also been studied with success in treating other neurological conditions like cerebral palsy and ADHD. Additionally, it has helped people recover from severe physical and traumatic brain injuries. For families looking for a solution that can improve the life of their loved one with autism, hippotherapy may be the perfect tool to help them learn new skills, create independence, and ultimately better their lives.