Intended Audience
This course is designed as an entry-level course for therapists (PT, PTA, OT, COTA, SLP, and SLPA) to learn how to utilize hippotherapy as a treatment tool. Hands-on practicums with horses are included. Recorded attendance and completion of the course evaluation form is required prior to receipt of the course certificate of completion. 

Course Overview
The AHA, Inc. Hippotherapy Treatment Principles– Part I On-Site is a three-day on-site version of the first of our Foundation Courses. Attendance and participation in all three days of this course is required. 

Course Prerequisites

• Basic Equine Skills Course (online course)- must be completed at least 3 weeks prior to the course

• Part I Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Online Learning Module (online course)- must be completed at least 3 weeks prior to the course

The Basic Equine Skills Course and Part I Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Online Learning Module are prerequisites for all registrants of AHA, Inc. Hippotherapy Treatment Principles– Part I course.

Failure to complete the course successfully 3 weeks before the first day of the course can result in the forfeiture of all registration fees and access to the course. 

These online prerequisites must be taken and the test passed by anyone attending a Hippotherapy Treatment Principles– Part 1 course, regardless of your horse skill level. These online prerequisites focus on basic horse knowledge for any therapist wishing to incorporate equine movement into their treatment toolbox.

The test at the end is open book, and you can print the study guide if you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. The test can be taken more than once until it is passed.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists taking this course will gain an understanding of the principles, history, theory, and research of the application of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) as a treatment tool within a plan of care (POC) in OT, PT, and SLP practice. Therapists will observe and analyze a therapy treatment with skilled equine movement and discuss the adaptive responses in the patient. Therapists will be introduced to skilled equine movement and the effect of the horse’s conformation and movement on the systems of the human body for implementation in a POC for a variety of diagnoses and patients. The following learning outcomes will be assessed during participation in active learning activities, learner demonstration of skills during practicums, class discussions, and small group work.

• Therapists will be able to describe the term hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) and identify at least 3 primary principles of hippotherapy

• Therapists will be able to list and describe at least 5 key considerations in patient evaluation for determining if hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) should be included in a patient’s plan of care

• Therapists will be able to list and describe at least 6 precautions/ contraindications that should be considered when deciding on the inclusion of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) into a patient’s plan of care, and describe appropriate safety procedures during intervention

• Therapists will be able to list and describe the 5 primary parameters with respect to matching patient impairment, size, and functional limitation, and horse size, gait, and temperament for optimal and safe incorporation of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) into a plan of care to maximize functional outcomes

• Therapists will be able to describe the effect of hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) on at least 3 different patient diagnoses as related to their systems impairment, participation restriction, and functional outcomes through participation in a treatment planning practicum

• Therapists will demonstrate correct documentation in writing treatment and progress notes related to the current use of equine movement in OT, PT and SLP practice

• Therapists will be able to list 3 examples of how the therapist using skilled equine movement incorporates the AHA, Inc. Best Practice Guidelines into practice

• Therapists will be able to cite 3 current research articles applicable to hippotherapy (skilled equine movement)
  Identify the professional relationships between AHA, Inc. and its educational offerings, PATH Intl., and the AHCB by giving 3 examples of how these relationships impact best practice when incorporating hippotherapy as a treatment tool into a therapy plan of care