Types of Equine-Assisted Therapy
From clinical hippotherapy to equine-assisted psychotherapy, the field of equine-assisted services has grown dramatically. Explore each modality to find what's right for you or your family.
Equine-assisted therapy is not a single treatment — it's a family of evidence-informed services delivered by different credentialed professionals for different populations and goals. Understanding the distinctions helps you find the most appropriate program for your specific needs.
Some services, like hippotherapy, require licensed clinical therapists. Others, like therapeutic riding, involve certified instructors. And some, like equine-assisted psychotherapy, integrate mental health professionals. The right fit depends on your therapeutic goals, diagnosis, and personal preferences.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse as a tool. The horse's rhythmic, repet...
Full guide →Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding provides equestrian instruction to individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Unlike hippotherapy, it focuses on learning actual ...
Full guide →Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates horses into the therapeutic process alongside a licensed mental health professional and an equine specialist. Activities are typica...
Full guide →Equine-Assisted Learning
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is an educational approach that uses horses to facilitate learning experiences focused on personal development, life skills, and professional growth....
Full guide →Interactive Vaulting
Interactive vaulting is a therapeutic form of gymnastics performed on horseback. Participants learn to balance, kneel, stand, and perform artistic movements on a moving horse, buil...
Full guide →Equine-Assisted Coaching
Equine-Assisted Coaching uses the horse's innate sensitivity to human presence and emotion to provide real-time feedback for personal and professional development. A certified coac...
Full guide →Therapeutic Driving
Therapeutic driving involves adapted carriage or cart driving for individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities. It provides all the benefits of equine connection...
Full guide →Equine-Assisted Activities
Equine-Assisted Activities (EAA) encompass a wide range of horse-related programming that provides therapeutic and recreational benefits. EAA includes activities like grooming, bar...
Full guide →How to Choose the Right Equine Therapy
🏥 For Physical Rehabilitation Goals
If you're seeking therapy for neurological conditions, motor delays, or physical disabilities, hippotherapy — delivered by licensed PTs, OTs, or SLPs — is typically the most clinically appropriate option.
🧠 For Mental Health and Trauma
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is the gold standard for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and behavioral health — delivered by licensed mental health professionals.
🏇 For Skill-Building and Inclusion
Therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities offer adaptive horsemanship for individuals with disabilities who want to learn to ride and engage with horses in a supported setting.
🎯 For Personal Growth and Leadership
Equine-assisted coaching and equine-assisted learning are ideal for non-clinical goals: building leadership skills, improving communication, and accelerating personal development.