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Hippotherapy vs Adaptive Riding - Why It Matters

Writer: VTRA
VTRA
May 7
1 min read

Did you know that hippotherapy and adaptive (therapeutic) riding are not the same thing?


  • Hippotherapy (Early Intervention Program on Friday mornings) is a medical therapy led by licensed professionals (like PTs, OTs, or SLPs), where the horse’s movement is used as a treatment tool.

  • Adaptive riding (Lessons from Monday to Thursday) focuses on building confidence, independence, physical mobility, and overall wellbeing in a supportive environment, with riding skills as one piece of that journey.


Even though our lessons are not “therapy,” they still offer incredible physical, emotional, and social benefits! 


If you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to read the AHA Issue Brief on Hippotherapy vs Adaptive Riding, which explains these differences in more detail.

 
 
 

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