Therapy FAQs
What therapy strategy does NCEFT use?
NCEFT is international recognized as a pioneer and leader in the field of equine-assisted therapy. We specialize in physical, occupational, and speech therapy using horses as a dynamic treatment strategy. The American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA, Inc.) states: “PT, OT and SLP professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage the sensorimotor and neuromotor systems to create functional change in their client. Used with other neuromotor and sensorimotor techniques, hippotherapy is part of a client’s integrated plan of care.”
What diagnoses do you treat?
Therapy using equine movement is appropriate for diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, autism, developmental delay, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, stroke, genetic disorders, ADHD, learning or language disabilities, and more.
Are there any contraindications/limitations for participants?
Contraindications for therapy using equine movement includes, but is not limited to atlantoaxial instability, coxarthrosis, cranial deficits, hydrocephalus, uncontrolled seizure disorder, spina bifida, chiari II, tethered cord, hydromelia, and certain allergies. NCEFT does not treat adults or children who cannot sit unassisted, do not meet the physical or occupational therapy clinical intake requirements, or cannot safely work with the therapy team and the horses. For example, we cannot treat clients with violent behaviors or uncontrolled seizures. Clients also must be an appropriate weight for the horse. NCEFT is equipped with an overhead lift for individuals who are unable to mount from a standing position.
What is the difference between equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding?
In therapy sessions, the movement of the horse is used as a treatment tool to help improve function in everyday life. Therapy is delivered by licensed physical, occupational, or speech therapists. Adaptive riding is recreational horseback riding and horsemanship lessons adapted to meet the needs of an individual’s disability or challenge. Adaptive riding provides a unique combination of physical and emotional benefits. Adaptive riding is taught by a PATH-Certified instructor rather than a therapist.
Why use a horse for physical, occupational or speech therapy?
Sitting astride a horse provides clients with repetitive, rhythmic,and variable input via multidimensional movement. In a typical 30-minute therapy session, a horse will take about 3,000 steps that expose clients to movement that cannot be replicated on a piece of traditional clinic equipment.
In a forward-facing seat, the movement simulates what a normal human walking pattern should feel like. The repetitive nature of the movement allows the client ample opportunity to practice and refine balance responses, leading to improvements in core stabilization and postural control. The horse serves as a dynamic base of support, encouraging increased postural and protective reflexes, improved balance, building overall postural support and endurance, and weight bearing and motor planning.
Clients can also be placed in other positions, such as facing sideways, facing backwards, lying prone over the barrel of the horse, lying supine along the barrel of the horse, etc. Each position targets specific cognitive and physical systems. The movement of the horse also provides sensory input to vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and visual systems, thereby facilitating changes in sensory integration and attentional skills. As the horse moves through geometric figures and changes of tempo, the client must adjust their own posture to maintain an upright, balanced position.
What is a typical therapy session like?
Typically, NCEFT’s physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions are 30 minutes and include a variety of strategies to assist the client in meeting their individual goals. Some sessions may begin in the clinic, while some begin on the horse. Sessions are conducted in NCEFT’s covered arena, and many also take advantage of our sensory trail, weather permitting. The therapy team consists of the client, horse, therapist, horse handler, and two trained side walkers whose primary job is to maintain contact with the client at all times to ensure their safety on the horse.
How often are therapy sessions?
Frequency and duration are determined by the referring physician and the treating therapist. Clients receive therapy until their goals are met, they have a change in status, or are no longer progressing, at which time they are discharged from therapy.
Is therapy conducted year-round?
NCEFT operates year-round, weather permitting. Weather conditions that might prevent us from holding sessions include high wind or extreme heat. Our arena is covered, so rain alone usually does not prevent sessions. Sessions are held Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How much does therapy cost?
Please click here for current pricing and billing/insurance/financial assistance information. Note that NCEFT treats US military personnel and first responders free of charge.
Can missed sessions be made up?
Please click here for our current cancellation policy.
What is the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA, Inc.)?
The AHA, Inc. provides education, facilitates research, sets standards and provides education for therapists and promotes equine-assisted therapy as an effective treatment strategy that improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. AHA, Inc. provides therapists with education regarding the safe and effective use of equine movement in a medical setting. For more information about AHA, please visit their website.
What is the procedure to start therapy at NCEFT?
An online application for programs is required. After submitting the application, one of our Therapists will contact you within 10 business days to determine eligibility and discuss next steps. Click here to fill out the online application.
After submitting the form and/or participating in a phone interview, our therapists will determine eligibility for an in-person evaluation. If eligible, we will send you an intake packet to complete and return to NCEFT. Once NCEFT receives the completed intake packet, we will schedule the evaluation. Scheduling is based upon availability of the client, therapist, and horse. Please note that many NCEFT programs currently have waiting lists.
