Listed here is the course content for all AHA, Inc education courses. The first step in hosting an education course is to review the AHA Faculty List on the Education pull down tab to read the bio’s of the AHA Inc Faculty, so you can contract with a faculty person and determine course dates. Please print a How to Host packet for further details.

To inquire about attending a course, please contact the hosting facility directly.

NOTE: Any facility hosting an AHA, Inc Education Course must be an AHA, Inc Facility Level Member.

NOTE: Anyone attending the AHA, Inc Level I education course must take and pass an online test called “Intro to Equine Skills”. The certificate of successful completion must be submitted to the attendees’ host facility no later than two weeks before the first day of the course.  Failure to complete the test successfully 2 weeks before the first day of the Level I course may result in the forfeiture of all registration fees and access to the course.

 

Introduction to Equine Skills – Online Format

The Introduction to Equine Skills is a pre-requisite for all registrants of AHA, Inc Level I Hippotherapy Treatment courses. Click here to print process details before purchasing the test.

ONLINE ” Intro to Equine Skills” course. This test is a prerequisite to attending the four day, Level I, Hippotherapy Treatment Principles course.  Failure to complete the test successfully 2 weeks before the first day of the Level I course can result in the forfeiture of all registration fees and access to the course. 

This online course targets therapists with minimal to no horse experience, but must be taken and passed by anyone attending a Level I course regardless of your horse skill level. This online course focuses on basic horse knowledge that any therapist wishing to incorporate equine movement into their treatment toolbox should be familiar with.

There will be a fee for all tests, and once payment has been received in the office, you should allow two/2 business days before expecting to receive your login id and password via the email used to purchase the test.

The test is open book, and you can print the study guide if you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer.  The test can be taken more than once, for a fee, until it is passed.  The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience:

Anyone who is interested in how to care, groom, tack up, and lead a horse. This course is open to the volunteer, instructor, parent, therapist, administrator or anyone in your program who does not have horse knowledge and wants to learn the basic skills and care of the horse.  This format is focused on giving the therapist the basic horse knowledge prior to including hippotherapy in their treatment practice.

Course Objectives Include:

  • Identify and name key anatomical points of the horse.
  • Recognize elements of desirable conformation of the horse.
  • Identify and describe the function of grooming equipment.
  • Identify key parts of the horse’s tack.
  • Recognize and describe the four natural gaits of the horse.
  • Recognize desirable qualities of the horse’s movement.
  • Identify the signs of stress/burnout in the horse.

Level I Hippotherapy Treatment Principles:

The Level l courses are mandatory to become eligible for PATH, Intl Registered Therapist Status and HPCS certification.

Day 1 activities provide hands-on course information targeting therapists interested in including equine movement in their practice.  The focus on the course is on non-mounted equine skills, quality horse handling, coaching volunteers and team members and horse selection/retirement issues. Participants will work with horses in teams of two to four, with a faculty/student ratio of 1:15, allowing an opportunity for demonstration, practice and individualized feedback and instruction. The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience:

This course is designed for entry level therapists (PT, PTA’s , OT, COTA’s, SLP’s, and SLPA’s) utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy and those in or working with hippotherapy teams.  Hands on practicums with horses are included in this course. It can be attended by graduate occupational, speech and physical therapists in their last semester of graduate school.  Horse handlers that work in the hippotherapy team will benefit from the focus on obtaining quality movement and understanding the “body language” of the horse.  Non-therapists who are members of the hippotherapy team may only attend with the treating therapist on their team.

Course Objectives Include:

  • Correctly interpret the “body language” of the horse. Identify and name key anatomical points of the horse.
  • Recognize elements of desirable conformation of the horse.
  • Recognize and identify the four natural gaits of the horse.
  • Obtain desirable qualities of the horse’s movement when leading.
  • Recognize unsoundness in a moving horse.
  • Recognize the signs of stress/burnout in the horse during practicums.
  • Demonstrate safe, correct leading techniques with basic school figures.
  • Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “Intro to Equine Skills” online course, with certificate of completion submitted to the Host Facility at leasta 2 weeks prior to the first day of the course.

 

Level I Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Continued

Days 2-4 of the course are designed for entry level therapists utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy and those in or working with hippotherapy teams.  Hands on practicums are available in this course. It can be attended by graduate occupational, speech and physical therapists. Horse handlers and riding instructors who are members of the Hippotherapy Team are encouraged to attend.  They must attend with the treating therapist on their team. The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience:

PT, PTA’s , OT, COTA’s, SLPA’s and SLP’s interested in learning about HPOT, those already working in HPOT and want to learn the basic applications. PT, PTA’s , OT, COTA’s, and SLP’s,  SLPA’s and their HPOT Team, Graduate Students in PT, OT and SLP.

Course Objectives include:

  • Know and understand the definition of Hippotherapy.
  • Understand how the horse’s movement affects human systems – A System’s Approach.
  • Describe possible responses of a patient to the movement of the horse’s walk.
  • Describe the unique contributions of the horse’s movement as a treatment strategy and potential benefit for the patient.
  • Understand the importance of the hippotherapy horse’s suitability and movement.
  • Describe the appropriate methods of horse handling during a hippotherapy session.
  • Describe the selection and use of hippotherapy equipment for the horse and patient.
  • Identify all factors that contribute to safety in the hippotherapy session.
  • Identify key considerations for patient selection for hippotherapy including specific contraindications and precautions.
  • Describe the key elements of patient evaluation and treatment planning.
  • Describe methods of maximizing effects of hippotherapy, including school figures and movement progressions.
  • Describe safe methods of transitioning on and off the horse.
  • Have a working knowledge of potential emergencies and appropriate procedures.
  • Describe the roles of the hippotherapy team members.
  • Understand the business aspects related to hippotherapy including documentation, record keeping, reimbursement issues and insurance.
  • Demonstrate kind and humane treatment of the horse at all times.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “Intro to Equine Skills” online course, with certificate of completion submitted to the Host Facility at least 2 weeks prior to the first day of the course. Failure to complete and pass the test within this time frame may mean forfeiture of registration fees as well as dismissal from the course.

AHA, Inc Approved Curriculum –

Level II Hippotherapy Treatment Principles

These courses are mandatory to become eligible for PATH Registered Therapist or HPCS. The Level II Curriculum is designed for licensed PT’s, OT’s, SLP’s, PTA’s, OTA’s, and SLPA’s. AHA, Inc. recommends therapists have at least 2 years clinical experience in their field treating and handling patients incorporating a variety of treatment strategies in a non-hippotherapy setting.

Candidates for attending the Level II courses are therapists who have completed Level I and can:

1.  Explain how the horse’s movement affects human systems

2.  Explain the principles of hippotherapy

3.  Recognize possible patient responses to the movement of the horse

4.  Describe the selection and use of hippotherapy equipment for the horse and patient

5.  Be proficient in patient evaluation, patient and horse selection and treatment planning specifically incorporating hippotherapy

6.  Understand the importance of horse suitability and movement to hippotherapy

7.  Explain the use of school figures and movement progressions in treatment to maximize the effects of the movement of the horse

8.  Implement appropriate safety procedures in the hippotherapy setting

9.  Provide effective leadership of the hippotherapy team

10. Describe the unique contributions and potential benefit of the horse’s movement as a treatment strategy

It is strongly recommended that therapists complete 30 hours of hippotherapy experience prior to taking Level II in order to benefit from the treatment sessions during the course.

Therapists must attend all four days of the course to receive a certificate of attendance.

Level II,  Hippotherapy Treatment Principles

The first portion of this four day workshop targets therapists giving them the training principles needed and how they are applied in a hippotherapy session to improve your horse and the efficacy of hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. The curriculum may be used only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience:

All therapists must have taken Level l Hippotherapy Treatment Principles and provide a copy of their attendance certificate to the Level II hosting facility Therapists must attend all four days of the Level II Hippotherapy Treatment Principles course.

Days 1-2 Course Objectives Include:

Recognize the importance of a common horsemanship knowledge base for the therapist, horse professional and all members of the hippotherapy team.

  • Identify preferred conformation and understand the relationship between conformation, movement quality and soundness for the hippotherapy horse.
  • Demonstrate the ability to access a horse for soundness, regularity and evenness of gait, straightness and flexibility.
  • Demonstrate the ability to access horse behaviors including those resulting from stress and/or discomfort.
  • Identify and convey to the horse handler the necessary skills required to produce quality movement when leading, lungeing or long lining the hippotherapy horse.
  • Understand training techniques for a hippotherapy horse including groundwork, desensitization, and conditioning.
  • Understand the principles of good nutrition, veterinary and worming protocols for horses in a hippotherapy program.
  • Understand the importance of and be able to identify handling and riding skills that are necessary to maintain and/or improve the hippotherapy horse.
  • Create and understand the importance of having a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly schedule for the hippotherapy horse.
  • Understand the need to educate and train staff and/or volunteers who will be working with the hippotherapy horse, either in hippotherapy sessions or involved with the daily care and training routines, the handling techniques and training protocols to maintain a safe, effective and successful hippotherapy program.
  • Identify lameness and illness in the hippotherapy horse and explain appropriate prevention through veterinary, farrier and nutritional and training protocols.

Level II, Hippotherapy Treatment Principles continued…

This portion of the 4 day course is designed to provide and facilitate a problem solving treatment approach, using actual patients currently involved in Hippotherapy as part of their physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment. Practical applications to NDT, SI and Motor Learning Theory and Clinical Reasoning will be applied to the hippotherapy treatment strategy as well as an introduction to the Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework Theory. Therapists will be treating actual patients within a Hippotherapy Team, including video taping and group discussions to further advance the learning experience. This course may be attended by licensed, Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapists and assistants (PTA, COTA, SLPA). The curriculum may be used only under conditions set by AHA, Inc.

The AHA Education Committee recommendation is to have 30 treatment hours of experience of 1:1 patient treatments incorporating hippotherapy as a treatment strategy before taking Level II Hippotherapy Treatment Principles.

Intended Audience:

PT’s, PTA’s, OT’s, COTA’s, SLP’s and SLPA’s who have taken the Level l Hippotherapy Treatment Principles and have 2 years clinical experience in their field treating and handling patients in a non hippotherapy environment. It is suggested, but not required, that you have 30 hours of treating with hippotherapy after completing the Level l Curriculum.

Course Objectives Include:

  • Develop a hippotherapy treatment plan based on a disablement model.
  • Select objective outcome measures for pre and post testing.
  • Select appropriate horse and equipment for a specific patient.
  • Practice modifications of equine movement as a primary method of enhancing patient treatment outcomes.
  • Understand the relationship between treatment and functional outcomes.
  • Identify appropriate functional outcome measures for hippotherapy patients.
  • Review best practice guidelines for documentation, HIPAA compliance, and written and verbal communication among Hippotherapy Team members, other medical professionals and third party payers.
  • Engage in group problem-solving using video review and discussion as a model for collaborative treatment practices.
  • Be introduced to the following concepts as a foundation for advanced clinical problem solving:
    • Clinical Reasoning
    • Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework
  • Recognize and discuss indications for alternative positions and equipment.
  • Recognize the importance of setting discharge criteria and establishing discharge planning, including potential for transitioning to community based programs.

AHA, Inc Approved

The Horse Connection: Long Lining – Maximizing Your Horse’s Potential

This 2.5 day advanced level hands-on course is designed for the horse handler involved hippotherapy sessions as well as the equine specialist or owner interested in learning how to teach a horse to long line. The horse handler can be a PATH Instructor, equine specialist, horse trainer, therapist or volunteer who is part of the hippotherapy team or horse person who has basic lungeing and ground skills. The curriculum may be used only under conditions set by AHA Inc.

Intended Audience:

Horse Handlers in HPOT Programs, PATH Instructors, Equine Specialists, Horse Trainer, Volunteer, Therapist or any horse person with basic ground handling and lungeing skills.

Course Objectives:

  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of all safety aspects of lungeing and long lining.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the fit, care and application of all the equipment.
  • Ability to produce quality movement on straight lines and school figures when long lining.
  • Demonstrate ability to grade movement at the walk on long lines.
  • Understand the concept of starting a horse on long lines.
  • Understand the principles of alternative leading methods.
  • Demonstrate the ability to teach a novice person to correctly lead a horse for a hippotherapy session.

Faculty to Contact:

The Core Connection:The Link Between Hippotherapy and Core Control

Postural Control and Core Stability are believed to be crucial for normal function, whether it is balance, reaching or walking (typical PT goals), upper extremity control or ADL performance (typically OT), or speech production and oral motor control.(typical areas for SLPs). Without good trunk control, even attention, arousal or interaction with the immediate surroundings is made more difficult. Listed amongst the many benefits of Hippotherapy is the ability to influence Postural Control and Core Strength. After all, the horse directly impacts the pelvis and spine when we sit on his back. His movement brings sensory information proximally and causes motor responses at the pelvis and trunk.

In this course, we will explore the concept that there is an inevitable Connection between Hippotherapy and the horse’s influence on the Core. We will also look at the immediate Connection between postural control and the functional improvements we are looking for in our patients, whether we are looking at it from a PT, OT, Speech or transdisciplinary focus. This AHA one-day course is open to all therapists and therapy assistants who use Hippotherapy as a treatment strategy; intended as an advanced course following the AHA Level II curriculum. Lecture, video and discussion will guide us to explore these very key Core Concepts and Connections. The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience:

PT’s, PTA’s, OT’s, COTA’s, SLP’s, SLPA’s who incorporate hippotherapy into their patients plan of care.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe the terminology related to Core Stabilization.
  • Describe the neurophysiologic basis of Core Stabilization (sensory and motor control required for Core Stability) and the basic developmental process which leads to Core Stability.
  • List some of the common conditions in which Core Stability is impaired.
  • List some common indicators of poor Postural Control and reduced Core Stability as related to impaired function.
  • Describe how human function is influenced by Core Postural Control using Dynamic Systems Theory.
  • Describe the influence of equine movement on the Core – sensory and motor.
  • Discuss how we can impact function of the Core using equine movement.
  • List five specific strategies for impacting function through the Core using Equine movement.
  • Describe why influence of the core can impact so many domains of human function.
  • Develop treatment options using Hippotherapy to improve patient function related to Core Stability.

Faculty to Contact:

The Neuro Connection:  Incorporating Hippotherapy Into The Treatment of the Neurologic Patient

A 1 ½ day course for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapy Assistants, SLPA’s and Occupational Therapy Assistants who currently treat or are planning to treat neurologic patients.

With extensive use of patient videos, group discussion and problem solving, course participants will explore the theoretical and scientific rational and benefits for using hippotherapy, alone and in combination with other treatment strategies for specific neurologic impairments such as: spasticity, impaired motor control and sensory deficits.

In addition, participants will discuss ways to incorporate principles of neuroplasticity and motor learning into their hippotherapy session.

Topics to be covered:

  • Review of major relevant areas of Central Nervous System
  • Common impairments related to motor behavior
  • Theoretical and scientific rationale for treatment of neurological patients
  • Related systems – treating the whole patient
  • Therapist treatment approaches  – combining clinic and hippotherapy
  • Applying principles of motor learning and neuroplasticity in hippotherapy
  • Patient problem solving using videos of neurologic patients

Participants are invited to submit a video of a patient with neurologic impairments. This video may be selected to be viewed during the course as a teaching tool to discuss treatment options and hippotherapy.  Videos would need to be submitted to one of  the faculty 3 weeks prior to the course. Contact one of the faculty to receive guidelines for video submission.

This course is scheduled to run 8:30 to 4:30 on Day 1 and 9:00 – 1:00 on Day 2.  Detailed course outline will be available on Day 1 of the course.

Faculty to Contact:

  • Lori Garone, PT, HPCS email: hpotpt@gmail.com
  • Bonnie Cunningham, PT, HPCS email: bdc1m@aol.com
  • Nancy McGibbon, PT, HPCS email: nhmcgibbon@gmail.com

The Communication Connection: Maximizing Communication using Equine Movement

This one-day course is designed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of speech and language systems, breakdowns in communication, and effective strategies for improved communication with a special needs population, facilitated by equine movement. Participants gain practical, immediately applicable skills through hands-on exercises designed to facilitate better understanding of communication and how equine movement impacts neurophysiological systems that support speech and language function.  Live or video treatment sessions facilitate the critical thinking skills necessary to develop strategies for working with people who have communication disorders, focusing on implications in the hippotherapy setting.

The curriculum may be utilized only under conditions set forth by AHA, Inc.

Intended Audience:

This course is intended for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, other medical professionals, adaptive riding instructors, horse handlers, parents and volunteers.  Speech pathologists wishing to better understand how equine movement can be incorporated as a treatment strategy will benefit as well.

Course Objectives:

Participants will:

  • Demonstrate an increased awareness and understanding of the components of normal communication
  • Gain a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of speech and language systems
  • Identify basic communication disorders and breakdowns
  • Understand and recognize the impact of equine movement on speech and language
  • Learn effective strategies for facilitating effective communication

Faculty to Contact:

The Sensory Connection: Sensory Concepts, Theory and Applications in Hippotherapy

This 2 day course applies sensory integration theory, reviews neuroanatomy, covers horse selection and use of the environment in HPOT & EAT treatment sessions. Evaluation tools used to determine sensory processing and sensory interventions will address the patient’s impairment and functional limitation and how to incorporate HPOT into the sensory patient’s Plan of Care to address the functional outcome. Participants will be provided an opportunity to engage in hands-on EAT activities and HPOT clinical reasoning. Video of children with sensory processing dysfunction and emotional / behavioral problems that are affected by the child’s sensory processing or sensory integration impairment will be discussed. Round table and interactive discussions will be incorporated for participants to gain an understanding of treatment for children with sensory processing dysfunction in the HPOT / EAT environment.

Intended Audience:

This course is intended for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistant’s, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistant’s, Speech and Language Pathologist, and Speech and Language Pathologist Assistants.

Course Objectives:

  • Describe appropriate populations for sensory based HPOT treatment
  • Identify key elements in patient selection
  • Define current sensory terminology
  • Understand how the horses’ movement affects the sensory systems
  • Utilize clinical reasoning for creating HPOT treatment planning for clients with sensory processing dysfunction
  • Utilize techniques to achieve effective treatment with HPOT for the patient with SPD

Faculty to Contact:

Muscles in Motion

This one day course is open to all working in or interested in equine assisted activity and therapy programs. Lecture material presented in the morning will focus on basic human anatomy and kinesiology of the pelvis and spine. A variety of disabilities will be discussed in the context of the equine environment. Practicum material in the afternoon will consider how the horses movement, conformation and equipment selection affect body alignment in typical and atypical rider scenarios. Participants are invited to share challenging cases from their programs.

dsilkwood-sherer Education