Pediatric Hippotherapy for Cerebral Palsy
in Pea Ridge, AR
For children with cerebral palsy, movement and daily tasks can be very difficult to handle. At Unbridled Pediatric Therapies, we combine traditional occupational therapy with therapeutic horse-riding (hippotherapy) to help kids build their movement skills so they can participate in daily activities more easily and confidently.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects movement, posture, and muscle tone. It is caused by damage or trauma to the brain, which can happen in the womb, during birth, or any time after a child is born. This trauma affects the part of the brain responsible for muscle control and coordination.
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition, but with early diagnosis and pediatric therapy, children with this condition can improve their physical abilities and achieve greater confidence and independence.
Common Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
The most common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
- Difficulty with coordination and balance
- Muscle stiffness or spasticity
- Weakness or floppy muscles
- Delayed milestones like crawling, walking, or sitting
- Trouble with fine motor skills, such as grasping objects
- Unusual walking patterns, such as toe-walking
- Cognitive impairments or learning difficulties
- Speech and communication delays
- Vision or hearing problems
- Seizures or epilepsy
How Pediatric Occupational Therapy Combined with Hippotherapy Can Treat Cerebral Palsy
Pediatric occupational therapy by itself is very effective at helping children with cerebral palsy gain the movement skills they need to handle daily activities. But when you combine it with hippotherapy, the child’s progress accelerates beyond what can be achieved with clinic-based treatment alone.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider equine-assisted occupational therapy for your child:
1. It supports motor skills development
The horse’s rhythmic, three-dimensional gait mimics the movement of the human pelvis during walking, which helps children strengthen their core muscles, improve their balance, and develop better coordination. And activities like grooming the horse help build fine motor skills that can help children handle daily tasks more easily.
2. It improves muscle tone and flexibility
The warmth and motion of the horse can help reduce spasticity (muscle tightness) in children with cerebral palsy. Therapists can adjust the child’s position on the horse (forward, backward, side-sitting, prone) to target specific skills like balance, spatial awareness, and visual focus.
3. It supports key areas of the brain
The horse takes about 3,000 steps in a 20-minute session, which provides repetitive input that helps the brain form new neural pathways. This can improve motor planning, coordination, and functional movement patterns in children with cerebral palsy.
4. It’s fun!
Hippotherapy combines movement, sensory input, and daily activities in a way that traditional clinic-based therapy can’t match. For children with cerebral palsy, this treatment method helps address multiple areas at once and promotes progress in a fun and interesting new way.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation Today
Want to find out how pediatric hippotherapy can support your child’s physical skills? Take advantage of our free 15-minute phone consultation! During this consultation, you’ll speak with a member of the Unbridled Pediatric Therapy team who can answer your questions and explain how your child can benefit from equine-assisted occupational therapy.
Give us a call at (479) 250-9838 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today!
