Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Using Hippotherapy Strategies for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Cerebral Palsy

  • 204 Accesses

Abstract

Hippotherapy, the medical use of the horse’s movement, is an evidence-based intervention option for children with cerebral palsy. The horse’s walking gait closely resembles that of a human’s normal walking pattern, providing the mounted child with multiple practice opportunities to absorb and respond to equine perturbations in three planes of movement, stimulating postural sway, postural adaptation, anticipatory feedback, and integration of multisensory information. The ability to vary the equine movement and provide multiple practice repetitions in a session provides opportunity for postural responses/adaptations that reinforce neural pathways to improve posture, strength, coordination, function, and participation. Evidence supports the incorporation of equine movement for children with cerebral palsy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (2015) Level I Hippotherapy treatment principles course manual, 5th edn. Denver. http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/about-aha/hippotherapy-magazine/

  • Benda W, McGibbon NH, Grant KL (2003) Improvements in muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy). J Altern Complement Med 9:817–825

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertoti DB (1988) Effect of therapeutic horseback riding on posture in children with cerebral palsy. Phys Ther 68:1505–1512

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cabiddu R et al (2016) Hippotherapy acute impact on heart rate variability non-linear dynamics in neurological disorders. Physiol Behav 15(159):88–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Casady RL, Nichols-Larsen DS (2004) The effect of hippotherapy on ten children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther 16:165–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Champagne D, Dugas C (2010) Improving gross motor function and postural control with hippotherapy in children with Down syndrome: case reports. Physiother Theory Pract 26:564–571

    Google Scholar 

  • David KS, Sullivan M (2005) Expectations for walking speeds: standards for students in elementary schools. Pediatr Phys Ther 17(2):120–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Encheff JL, Armstrong C, Masterson M, Fox C, Gribble P (2012) Hippotherapy effects on trunk, pelvic, and hip motion during ambulation in children with neurological impairments. Pediatr Phys Ther 24(3):242–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdman EA, Willgens AM (2018) Characteristics of equine assisted therapies across the United States. In Preparation

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleck C (1997). Hippotherapy: mechanics of human walking horseback riding. In: Engel BT (ed) Rehabilitation with the aid of the horse: a collection of studies. Durango

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner BA, Rigby BR (2015) Human pelvis motions when walking and when riding a therapeutic horse. Hum Mov Sci 39:121–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghai A, Garg N, Hooda S, Gupta T (2013) Spasticity-pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment strategies. Saudi J Anaesth 7(4):453–460

    Google Scholar 

  • Granados AC, Agís IF (2011) Why children with special needs feel better with hippotherapy sessions: a conceptual review. J Altern Complement Med 17:191–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadders-Algra M, Brogren E, Forssberg H (1998) Development of postural control-differences between ventral and dorsal muscles? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 22:501–506

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haehl V, Giuliani C, Lewis C (1999) Influence of hippotherapy on the kinematics and functional performance of two children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther 11:89–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Haley S, Coster WJ, Ludlow LH, Haltiwanger JT, Andrellos PJ (1992) Pediatric evaluation of disability inventory. Trustees of Boston University, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsie Y et al (2008) Hippotherapy on gross motor function in a child with hypotonic quadriplegic cerebral palsy: a 1-year follow up. J Phys Med Rehabil 36(3):177–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Icanandiwill.com. Accessed on 2 June 2017 at https://www.google.com/search?q=hippotherapy+icanandiwill.com&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-z9C8xpHVAhVBOj4KHbqRCdcQ_AUIDCgD&biw=964&bih=567#imgrc=COHkjtdDPsYE6M

  • Jang CH, Joo MC, Hoh SE et al (2016) Effects of hippotherapy on psychosocial aspects in children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers: a pilot study. Ann Rehabil Med 40(2):230–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Kavanagh JJ, Morrison S, Barrett RS (2005) Coordination of head and trunk accelerations during walking. Eur J Appl Physiol 94:468–475

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon JY, Chang HJ, Yi SH, Lee JY, Shin HY, Kim YH (2015) Effect of hippotherapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 21:15–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee I, Kim J, Lee S (2011) The effects of hippotherapy on spasticity and muscular activity of children with cerebral palsy. J Korean Soc Occup Ther 19:117–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackow A et al (2014) Influence of neurophysiological hippotherapy on the transference of the centre of gravity among children with cerebral palsy. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 16(6):581–593

    Google Scholar 

  • MacPhail HE, Edwards J, Golding J et al (1988) Trunk postural reactions in children with and without cerebral palsy during therapeutic horseback riding. Pediatr Phys Ther 10:143–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Magee MC, Reese NB (2009) Immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther 21(2): 212–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Manikowska F, Jozwiak M, Idzior M, Chen PJ, Tarnowski D (2013) The effect of a hippotherapy session on spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children with cerebral palsy-pilot study. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 15(3): 253–257

    Google Scholar 

  • McGibbon N, Benda W, Duncan B, Silkwood-Sherer D (2009) Immediate and long term effects of hippotherapy on symmetry of adductor muscle activity and functional ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90(6):966–974

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller F (2005) Cerebral palsy. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreas AG (2016) The effects of hippotherapy on postural balance and functional ability in children with cerebral palsy. J Phys Ther Sci 28(8):2220–2226

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy D, Kahn-D’Angelo L, Gleason J (2008) The effect of hippotherapy on functional outcomes for children with disabilities: a pilot study. Pediatr Phys Ther 20(3): 264–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Mutoh T (2016) Application of a tri-axial accelerometry-based portable motion recorder for the quantitative assessment of hippotherapy in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. J Phys Ther Sci 28(10):2970–2974

    Google Scholar 

  • Palisano R, Rosenbaum P, Bartlett D, Livingston M (2008) Content validity of the expanded and revised gross motor function classification system. Dev Med Child Neurol 50(10):744–750

    Google Scholar 

  • Park ES, Rha DW, Shin JS, Kim S, Jung S (2014) Effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance of children with cerebral palsy. Yonsei Med J 55:1736–1742

    Google Scholar 

  • Piva SR, Teixeira PA, Almeida GJ et al (2011) Contribution of hip abductor strength to physical function in patients with total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther 91(2): 225–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Quest Therapeutic Services. Accessed on 2 June 2017 at https://www.questtherapeutic.com/

  • Reubens R, Silkwood-Sherer DJ (2016) Intervention for an adolescent with cerebral palsy during period of accelerated growth. Pediatr Phys Ther 28(1):117–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell D, Rosenbaum P, Wright M, Avery LA (2013) Gross motor function measure (GMFM-66, GMFM-88). Clinics in developmental medicine, 2nd edn. Mac Keith Press, London. 290pp

    Google Scholar 

  • SheaCenter.org. Accessed on 10 July 2017 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_MvYAvYQkk

  • Shore B, Spence D, Graham HK (2012) The role of hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 5(2):126–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M (2017) Translating theory into clinical practice, 5th edn. Wolters-Kluwer, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Shumway-Cook A, Hutchinson S, Kartin D, Price R, Woollacott M (2003) Effect of balance training on recovery of stability in children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 45(9):591–602

    Google Scholar 

  • Shurtleff TL, Engsberg JR (2010) Changes in trunk and head stability in children with cerebral palsy after hippotherapy: a pilot study. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 30:150–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Shurtleff TL, Standeven JW, Engsberg JR (2009) Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and functional reach after hippotherapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90: 1185–1195

    Google Scholar 

  • Silkwood-Sherer DJ, Killian CB, Long TM, Martin KS (2012) Hippotherapy – an intervention to habilitate balance deficits in children with movement disorders: a clinical trial. Phys Ther 92:707–717

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterba J, Warner M (2007) Does horseback riding therapy of therapist-directed hippotherapy rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy? Dev Med Child Neurol 49:68–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Thelen E (1989) The (re)discovery of motor development: learning new things from an old field. Dev Psychol 25(6):946–949

    Google Scholar 

  • TherAplay.org. Accessed on 10 July 2017 at http://childrenstheraplay.org/

  • Yıldırım Şık B, Çekmece C, Dursun N, Dursun E, Balıkçı E, Altunkanat Z et al (2012) Is hyppotherapy beneficial for rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy? Türk Klin J Med Sci 32:601–608

    Google Scholar 

  • Zadnikar M, Kastrin A (2011) Effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding on postural control or balance in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol 53:684–691

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Annette M. Willgens

  2. Widener University, Chester, PA, USA

    Ellen A. Erdman

Authors
  1. Annette M. Willgens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ellen A. Erdman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annette M. Willgens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Freeman Miller

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, USA

    Steven Bachrach

  3. Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

  4. Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, Programs in Physical Therapy, New York, NY, USA

    Margaret E. O'Neil

Section Editor information

  1. Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

  2. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Margaret O'Neil

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Willgens, A.M., Erdman, E.A. (2020). Using Hippotherapy Strategies for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy. In: Miller, F., Bachrach, S., Lennon, N., O'Neil, M.E. (eds) Cerebral Palsy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74558-9_163

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74558-9_163

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74557-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74558-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation