The effect of hippotherapy on children with developmental delay

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect(s) hippotherapy has on children diagnosed with developmental delay as measured by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Although researchers have shown the benefits of hippotherapy on children with cerebral palsy, these benefits cannot be generalized to children diagnosed with developmental delay. Subjects included three children ages two to six years with a diagnosis of developmental delay who were enrolled in a 10-week hippotherapy session. The results were analyzed descriptively due to the small sample size and a floor effect. It was hypothesized that hippotherapy would improve functional abilities in this population. The children made some increases in their functional abilities; however the results did not show significant overall improvement.