HHTRC Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy?
A. Therapeutic riding lessons focus on teaching the rider the sport of riding including independent riding skills. Hippotherapy is conducted by a licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist. Hippotherapy focuses on using the horse as a therapeutic tool to help treat a rider’s disability. Each rider meets with a licensed physical therapist for a new rider evaluation prior to beginning lessons. During this evaluation, it is determined whether the rider would benefit most from Therapeutic Riding or Hippotherapy.
Q. Who can benefit from lessons?
A. Many types of disabilities can be treated and functionality improved using customized, carefully planned lessons. Our riders include those with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or head injury, as well as recovering stroke patients, among others. Areas of improvement for these riders may include:
• Joint range of motion • Muscle strength & tone • Coordination • Balance • Sensory integration
For people with autism, learning, behavioral or emotional disabilities, interaction with a horse can help improve:
• Self-confidence • Patience • Emotional control & self discipline • Social interaction
Q. Are there any requirements to be able to ride at HHTRC?
A. Riders must be at least two years old. All riders must provide a physician’s medical statement and a complete medical history. These will include an assessment by the physician of any contraindications or precautions as they relate to horseback riding. Once the physician referral and medical history are received, a new rider evaluation will be scheduled to determine the specific needs of the rider. For your convenience, HHTRC offers an in-house physician; Dr. Joahn Betts who offers services each Friday.
Q. What are Therapeutic Riding Group Lessons like?
A. Lessons are given in a class of two or three students that are compatible in age, ability, and type of disability. The length of the lesson depends on the riders’ endurance, which usually ranges between 45-60 minutes. Lessons are supervised by an instructor who is assisted by a volunteer team of horse leaders.
Q. How are appointments scheduled?
A. We recommend each student ride once per week. Appointments are scheduled for each rider for the same day and time slot each week.
Q. What are the hours of operation?
A. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, between 8am-9pm. No lessons are conducted on Saturdays, as they are reserved for program activities. We are closed on Sundays.
Q. How much do lessons cost?
A. Lesson price changes for 2012: Therapeutic Riding Group classes of four people/ 1 hour in length: $30.00 each on Monday and Friday evenings. Semi-Private, 1 hour class with two people: $35.00 each (Beginning/Intermediate Therapeutic or General Public Horsemanship) on Thursday evenings and Saturday Afternoons. Private one hour classes with one person: $50.00 (Intermediate/Advanced Therapeutic or General Public Horsemanship) on Saturday Afternoons. Hippotherapy is $50.00 per ½ hr session or $80.00 per 1 hr session for private pay. Payments are due on the first riding session of the month. There is a 6% late fee for payments after the 10th. Pay Pal is also available at our website. www.hhtrc.org
Q. What breed of horses does the HHTRC use for lessons?
A. No particular breed is favored for equine therapy. We currently have several breeds of horses in the program, including Quarter Horses, Arabians and a Thoroughbred. More important than breed are temperament and disposition. Our horses must enjoy being around people, as each lesson involves not only the rider, but a volunteer support team as well.
In addition to possessing the right temperament, each horse must also have the desired physical confirmation (height, width) and body movements (pace, gait, rhythm). Because we rely on the horse’s movements to facilitate rider reactions, a horse with the right attributes can help stimulate the rider’s balance and righting reactions and will contribute to building strength and endurance. As riders advance toward independent riding skills, HHTRC implements the “United States Pony Club” (USPC) curriculum which provides advancement into show jumping and horse showing.
Q. Do the horses undergo any special training to become part of the Therapeutic Riding program?
A. Therapeutic Riding lessons involve many non-traditional riding exercises, therefore specialized training for the horse is required. This training consists of working with the horse in specific ways to foster a highly developed sense of cooperation, patience and trust of the team members. In addition, in order to accommodate the physical differences of therapeutic riders, the horses are taught how to accept riders mounting from blocks or a ramp, and how to stand still during mounting and dismounting. They also learn how to accept riders with less balance, trunk control, and spasticity (abnormal muscle tone) than most riders. Because lessons may involve a variety of exercises during the lessons, the horses are also taught to accept riders who remove their feet from the stirrups, or change directions to sit sideways, on their stomach or even backwards during a lesson.
Q. How is a rider matched with a horse?
A. Each rider meets with a licensed occupational or physical therapist during their new rider evaluation, prior to beginning lessons. During this evaluation, it is determined whether the rider would benefit most from therapeutic riding or hippotherapy. At this time, it is also determined which horse has the best body type (wide/narrow) and pace combination for the rider. Once the horse is selected, a saddle is chosen to compliment horse and rider by providing the proper level of support. As a rider progresses, the horse and tack may be changed to accommodate new gains and provide new challenges.
Q. Are there any special safety requirements HHTRC must follow to be able to provide therapeutic riding lessons?
A. HHTRC is a member center of PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and follows all PATH recommended safety procedures. PATH was founded in 1969 to serve as an advisory body to the various riding for the disabled groups across the United States and neighboring countries. PATH provides safety guidelines and training, certifies therapeutic riding instructors, accredits therapeutic riding centers according to its own high standards, disseminates information, and offers low cost insurance to its member organizations.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Both riders and volunteers should wear long pants and socks that come up above the ankle. We prefer that you wear a hard-soled shoe, with a low heel, like a cowboy boot or a paddock boot. Sneakers are OK but they should not have a thick and heavy tread. Please be sure that if you do wear sneakers, they are firmly tied so that they will not slip off. Open-toed shoes, sandals, and slip-on shoes cannot be worn while working around the horses. The rest of your clothing should be weather appropriate; dressing in layers is often a good option in the cooler months.
We require that ALL riders wear an ASTM-approved safety helmet while mounted or while working with our horses. You may borrow one of ours (these are routinely cleaned and maintained); or, if you wish to purchase your own, please ask your riding instructor for a recommendation as to where you can buy one.
Q: What happens if my class has been canceled due to severe weather or unsafe driving conditions?
A: Riders please call the HHTRC Office 816-291-4596 or check Facebook to find out if your class has been canceled. There will either be a person answering the phone or a recorded message with pertinent information. If we have canceled your class due to severe weather or unsafe driving condition, your lesson will be credited. Please remember to add us to your Facebook account!
Q: Will insurance cover HHTRC fees?
A: If you are participating in therapeutic sports riding, driving or vaulting, insurance will not cover the fee. If you are an occupational or physical therapy client, a percentage of the fee MAY be reimbursable since they are PT or OT treatment codes. Whether or not your insurance will reimburse and to what extent is an agreement reached between each individual and their insurance company. Currently we will provide you a receipt for our services. The client is responsible for paying the hourly fee; any reimbursement paid should be made to the individual.
Q: Do you provide financial assistance?
A: We do have a scholarship program for Hippotherapy and for group lessons in therapeutic sports riding, however, these are based on financial need and are generally unavailable past April. If you receive services through any of the Department of Mental Health Regional Center’s please contact Cheryl
in billing for complete information on any type coverage.
Q: How old do I have to be to volunteer?
A: To volunteer in classes, you must be at least 14 years of age and have completed the 7th grade, with very few exceptions. To volunteer in the barn, you must be at least 12 years of age and be supervised by an accompanying adult.
Q. Does HHTRC teach non-therapeutic riding lessons?
Yes, we have limited room for general public lessons through the advanced certified instructor.
A. Does HHTRC accept donations?
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, HHTRC relies heavily on donations made through our Corporate Sponsorship Program, as well as individual and private donations. We gratefully accept many types of donations, including goods, services and financial support. Please see our Corporate Sponsor page for more information. We do accept tack, riding clothes and other donations. Donations can be made at the riding center or shipped to 32808 E Stringtown Road Greenwood, MO 64034. Please include the donors’ name, address and phone number when making a donation.
Q: Why is this called “hippo” therapy?
A: “Hippo” is the Greek word for horse. A hippopotamus is a “water horse”. Hippotherapy is therapy with the help of a horse.
Q: How about a weight limit?
A: To protect our therapy horses, HHTRC has a policy that limits the weight carried in a treatment session to 20% of the horse’s weight (This includes the tack, as well as the rider’s weight). With our current therapy horse selection, this TOTAL weight should equal no greater than 175 pounds.
Q: Is this safe?
A: Yes. We utilize several important safety practices:
- Each potential therapy horse is screened to ensure the appropriateness of both the quality of movement and a good working temperament.
- We enforce a number of humane policies including limiting horse work hours and limiting the amount of weight they carry.
- Professional horse handlers manage the therapy horses.
- Therapists are specially trained to utilize hippotherapy and adhere to the medical guidelines set by AHA (American Hippotherapy Association)
- When on the horse, all clients wear safety helmets.
- All clients, families, and workers must sign an agreement to follow basic barn safety rules.
Q: How about siblings?
A: For everyone’s safety, all children must be under control in appropriate waiting areas at all times. If your assistance is required in the treatment session and you have brought other children, it is your responsibility to provide alternative activities and supervision for them.
Q: How can we get started?
A: Treatment at HHTRC begins by completing the on-line registration form. You will then be contacted to schedule an initial evaluation.
More Questions? Please contact us at 816.463.9549
