At the Making Strides Foundation, equine-assisted activities empower individuals with diverse abilities to thrive. Two key approaches offered—Adaptive Riding Lessons and Hippotherapy—each play unique roles in fostering growth and development.
What Are Adaptive Riding Lessons?
Adaptive Riding Lessons are horsemanship and riding lessons tailored for individuals with physical, intellectual, or psychosocial disabilities. These lessons, facilitated by certified instructors (e.g., PATH or CETCH), teach riding skills in a supportive, accessible environment. The focus is on learning and recreation rather than therapy. For many participants, this becomes a lifelong hobby that fosters confidence, independence, and joy.
Understanding Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy uses horse movement as a therapeutic tool in treatment plans designed by licensed occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), or speech-language pathologists (SLP). Unlike Adaptive Riding, clients in Hippotherapy don’t learn riding skills. Instead, the horse’s motion helps improve functional therapy goals such as speech, muscle tone, and sensory processing. Hippotherapy is often covered by insurance, with clients discharged upon achieving their goals—much like traditional therapy.
Key Differences at a Glance
Instructor/Provider: Adaptive Riding involves certified therapeutic riding instructors; Hippotherapy requires licensed therapists.
Focus: Adaptive Riding teaches horsemanship; Hippotherapy addresses therapy goals.
Lifespan: Adaptive Riding can be a lifelong activity, while Hippotherapy concludes when therapy goals are met.
Both approaches offer incredible benefits, improving physical, emotional, and social well-being. Want to learn more about these opportunities? Visit Making Strides Foundation!