Hippotherapy Treatment Principles – Part I
Upcoming Part I In Person Courses
September 9, 2022 -- 7:30 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST, September 10, 2022 -- 8:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST & September 11 8:00AM EST to 3PM EST Location: Greenlock Therapeutic Riding in Rehoboth, MA Faculty: Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS Register Here Click here for travel information
Upcoming Part I A & B Webinar Courses
Part I A Foundations Webinar
(MUST ATTEND THIS WEBINAR FIRST) *Registration closes two weeks before course date
June 22, 2022 -- 5:00 AM MST to 9:30 AM MST & June 23, 2022 -- 5:00 AM MST to 9:45 AM MST Faculty: Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS and Sarah Beasley, MSc OT, MAOTI, HPCS Register Here
July 14, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:30 PM MST & July 15, 2022 8:00 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST Faculty: Lisa Harris, MSVS, PT, HPCS and Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS Register Here
August 5, 2022 -- 10:00 AM MST to 2:30 PM MST & August 6, 2022 -- 10:00 AM MST to 2:45 PM MST Faculty: Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS and Ruth Dismuke-Blakely, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS Register Here
September 8, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:30 PM MST & Sept 9, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST Faculty: Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS and Lisa Harris, MSVS, PT, HPCS Register Here
October 20, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 3:30 PM MST & Oct 21, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST Faculty: Meredith Bazaar, MA, CCC-SLP, HPCS and Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS Register Here
November 18, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 3:30 PM MST & Nov 19, 2022 -- 9:00 AM MST to 1:45 PM MST Faculty: Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS and Pippa Hodge, BSR, SCSP, MCPA, HPCS Register Here
Part I B Applications Webinar
(MUST ATTEND PART 1 A FOUNDATIONS WEBINAR FIRST & COMPLETE THE PREREQUISITE WORKSHEET) Preview the prerequisite here *Registration closes one week before course date
June 29 & 30, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 2:00 PM MST Faculty: Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS and Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS Register Here
July 8, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST & July 9, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 2:00 PM MST Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS and Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS Register Here
August 11 & 12, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST Faculty: Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS and Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS Register Here
September 15 & 16, 2022 -- 5:00 AM MST to 11:00 AM MST Faculty: Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS and Sarah Beasley, MSc OT, MAOTI, HPCS Register Here
October 6 & 7, 2022 -- 7:00 AM MST to 1:00 PM MST Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS and Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS Register Here
November 5 & 6, 2022 -- 10:00 AM MST to 4:00 PM MST Faculty: Meredith Bazaar, MA, CCC-SLP, HPCS and Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS Register Here
December 8 & 9, 2022 -- 7:00 AM MST to 1:00 PM MST Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS and Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS Register Here
Please read the information below before registering
Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I
For the foreseeable future, AHA, Inc. has reformatted the Part I Hippotherapy Treatment Principles course to include four separate elements– all of which must be completed to receive a certificate of completion of the Part I curriculum and to receive full CE credit. This reorganization of the course continues to have the same contact hours and course material as the previous format.
The comprehensive information required to learn about this tool's theory and principles are provided by the:
Part I A Foundations Course
Basic Equine Skills Course -- To Be Completed 3 days Prior to Webinar
Online Part I Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Online Learning Module - To Be Completed 3 days Prior to Webinar
Part I A Foundations Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Live 2-day webinar (Two 4.5 hour sessions)
PART I B Applications Course
Part I B Applications Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Live 2-day webinar practicum (One 5.5 hour session & one 5 hour session)
PART I B Applications Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Webinar Prerequisite Experience Worksheet (This worksheet requires independent hands-on experience utilizing horses) -- To Be Completed 3 days Prior to Webinar
PART I B Applications Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Webinar Post Requisite Experience Worksheet (This worksheet requires independent hands-on experience utilizing horses) -- To Be Completed Within 2 weeks of attending the Webinar
The Part I B webinar practicum is the conclusion of the Part I course. It emphasizes the clinical applications and critical thinking skills essential to understanding this tool. It is only upon completion of all four modules that the Part I course is considered complete and the therapy professional has a basic understanding of safe and effective incorporation of hippotherapy in OT, PT and SLP treatment.
Completion of the Part I course is required for attendance at the Part II Hippotherapy Treatment Principles
Completion of both the Part I and Part II courses is required to sit for the American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) exam.
This course has been approved for continuing education credits by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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/strategy. 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.
Prerequisite:
Successful completion of the Equine Skills Test and Online Learning Module. You will automatically receive access to the prerequisites once you have purchased the Part I course.
Course Overview:
This course is an overview of the principles of hippotherapy, designed for therapists (PT, OT, SLP, PTA, COTA, SLPA) interested in utilizing hippotherapy in their practice. The course is equivalent to 4 days of instruction – the first day of the course consists of an online study component of approximately 6 1/2 hours of study to be completed prior to the first day of the three days of in-person instruction. The online study consists of foundational information required for an understanding of the principles of hippotherapy.
Part I 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 strategy/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.
Learning Outcomes for Hippotherapy Treatment Principles – Part I:
- Therapists will be able to define the term hippotherapy (skilled equine movement) and identify at least 3 primary principles of hippotherapy
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Therapists will be able to list 3 examples of how the therapist using skilled equine movement incorporates the AHA Best Practice Guidelines into practice.
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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
Course Schedule:
Tentative In-Person Training Schedule
Day 1
7:30 am Registration & Introductions – Discuss therapy and equine background
8:15 am Review Objectives (need for continuing education credits), Hippotherapy
Rationale and the AHA, Inc. description, Horse Gaits, Desirable Qualities of
Equine Motion, Aspects of the Horse’s walk that can be manipulated, Training
and Maintenance, Horse Handling
9:15 am Conformation and Movement Analysis of 3 – 4 horses
10:15 am BREAK
10:30 am Human and Horse Movement Interaction Posture and Balance
12:30 pm LUNCH
1:15 pm Tour of Facility and Tack Room
1:30 pm Horse Handling and Safety Demonstration
2:15 pm Leading Demo and Practicum
3:15 pm BREAK
3:30 pm Mounted Practicum #1 opportunity to experience 3 dimensions of motion
4:30 pm Review and Discussion
5:00 pm Day Concludes
Day 2
8:00 am Faculty demonstration and Participant practicum – Motor Tasks and Impairment
10:00 am BREAK
10:15 am Theory of Dynamic Systems
11:00 am Practice Transfers with horses – Practice Emergency procedures, Side walker
training, working with Horse Handler
12:00 pm LUNCH
12:45 pm Mounted Practicum # 2
1:45 pm Review of mounted practicum as a treatment session Horse Selection and
Patient Selection; Unique Contributions of the Horse; Position Options and
Alternative Positions
3:15 pm BREAK
3:30 pm Treatment Teams develop treatment plan for a paper patient (group work)
5:00 pm Day Concludes
Day 3
8:00 am Treatment Plan Presentations – Group Discussions
9:15 am Practicum – Position Options & Alternative Positions
10:45 am BREAK
11:00 am Review of ICF model
12:00 pm LUNCH
12:45 pm Patient Demonstrations
2:00 pm Discuss Patient Demonstrations and their observations; Review AHA, Inc. and
PATH Intl. Relationship; AHCB and credentialing; Review other AHA, Inc.
Courses; Final Question and Answer discussion
3:00 pm Day Concludes
Course Pricing:
In-Person Part I
Early registration (closes three weeks prior start of course)
$875.00 for AHA, Inc. Member
$975.00 for Non-AHA, Inc. Member
General Registration
$950.00 for AHA, Inc. Member
$1,050 for Non-AHA, Inc. Member
Part I Webinar
Part I Webinar (Fee includes both Part I A & Part I B webinars)
$655.00 for AHA, Inc. Member
$755.00 for Non-AHA, Inc. Member
Upcoming Part I A & B Webinar Courses
Part I A Foundations Webinar *Registration closes two weeks before course date
May 12, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 3:30 PM MST & May 13, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 3:45 PM MST Faculty: Meredith Bazaar, MA, CCC-SLP, HPCS and Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS Register Here
June 22, 2022 -- 5:00 AM MST to 9:30 AM MST & June 23, 2022 -- 5:00 AM MST to 9:45 AM MST Faculty: Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS and Sarah Beasley, MSc OT, MAOTI, HPCS Register Here
July 14, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:30 PM MST & July 15, 2022 8:00 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST Faculty: Lisa Harris, MSVS, PT, HPCS and Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS Register Here
August 5, 2022 -- 10:00 AM MST to 2:30 PM MST & August 6, 2022 -- 10:00 AM MST to 2:45 PM MST Faculty: Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS and Ruth Dismuke-Blakely, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS Register Here
September 8, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:30 PM MST & Sept 9, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST Faculty: Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS and Lisa Harris, MSVS, PT, HPCS Register Here
October 20, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 3:30 PM MST & Oct 21, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 12:45 PM MST Faculty: Meredith Bazaar, MA, CCC-SLP, HPCS and Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS Register Here
November 18, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 3:30 PM MST & Nov 19, 2022 -- 9:00 AM MST to 1:45 PM MST Faculty: Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS and Pippa Hodge, BSR, SCSP, MCPA, HPCS Register Here
Part I B Applications Webinar
(MUST ATTEND PART 1 A FOUNDATIONS WEBINAR FIRST & COMPLETE THE PREREQUISITE WORKSHEET) Preview the prerequisite here *Registration closes one week before course date
May 19 & 20, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 2:00 PM MST Faculty: Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS and Lisa Harris, MSVS, PT, HPCS Register Here
June 29 & 30, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 2:00 PM MST Faculty: Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS and Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS Register Here
July 8, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST & July 9, 2022 -- 8:00 AM MST to 2:00 PM MST Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS and Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS Register Here
August 11 & 12, 2022 -- 11:00 AM MST to 5:00 PM MST Faculty: Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS and Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS Register Here
September 15 & 16, 2022 -- 5:00 AM MST to 11:00 AM MST Faculty: Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS and Sarah Beasley, MSc OT, MAOTI, HPCS Register Here
October 6 & 7, 2022 -- 7:00 AM MST to 1:00 PM MST Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS and Lesley Lautenschlager, MS, OTR, HPCS Register Here
November 5 & 6, 2022 -- 10:00 AM MST to 4:00 PM MST Faculty: Meredith Bazaar, MA, CCC-SLP, HPCS and Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS Register Here
December 8 & 9, 2022 -- 7:00 AM MST to 1:00 PM MST Faculty: Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS and Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS Register Here
*Registration is limited
* Certificates of attendance will be provided to attendees at the conclusion of the course. Contact hours vary depending on the course. No certification will be granted upon completion of an AHA, Inc. course.
AHA, Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of continuing education. Provider #: 11414. Full attendance at this course qualifies for 25.5 contact hours or 2.55 CEUs in the Category of Domain of OT, Occupational Therapy Process, and Professional Issues . The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. Course Level: Introductory.

This program is offered for 2.55 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area).
A Certificate of Attendance will be provided. Contact hours are 25.5. There are no continuing education credits for the Equine Skills pre-requisite. Students will receive continuing education credits for the one day online module.
Cancellation Policies: AHA, Inc. reserves the right to adjust course dates, times and faculty to accommodate unforeseen circuMDTances including cancellation of the course due to insufficient registration up to 3 weeks prior to the scheduled start date. Notification will only be made to advanced registrants. Neither AHA, Inc. nor the course location is responsible for any expenses incurred by registrants due to such adjustments.
Participant cancellation requests must be made in writing no less than 3 weeks prior to the course start date to receive a refund, minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations received within three weeks prior to the start of the course.
*** Please do not make travel arrangements until you receive confirmation from the AHA, Inc. office
Faculty who are vetted to teach this course are:
- Meredith Bazaar, MS, CCC, SLP, HPCS
- Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS
- Mary Helene Chaplin, PT, HPCS
- Ruth Dismuke-Blakely, MS, CCC, SLP, HPCS
- Karen Gardner , MOT, OTR, HPCS
- Lisa Harris, PT, HPCS
- Pippa Hodge, BSR, SCSP, MCPA, HPCS ( Canada )
- Carol Huegel, PT, HPCS
- Leslie Lautenschlager, OTR/L, HPCS
- Gina Taylor, MS, OT, HPCS
You may read their bios and disclaimers by clicking on the individual’s name.
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