Q: Is this the same as therapeutic riding?
A: No. They are quite different. See the Hippotherapy Or Therapeutic Riding page for details.

 
Q: Do you use ponies or horses?
A: Although ponies are smaller and handling patients might be easier, the movement they produce is too choppy and irregular. The quality of movement a horse provides assists in making the neurological changes to meet therapy goals.

 
Q: What are the goals of therapy?
A: Treatment techniques implemented by The Right Step help balance, muscle tone, posture, mobility, coordination, sensory registration, modulation of behavior, attention, and homeostasis for improved functioning in everyday life routines.

 
Q: Who can this help?
A: People with physical, neurological, behavioral, and emotional issues related to Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Coordination Disorder, Developmental Disability, Dyspraxia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Sensory Integration Disorder, and many others have been helped with hippotherapy.

 
Q: How about a weight limit?
A: To protect our therapy horses, TRS 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 200 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 NARHA (North American Riding for Handicapped 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: What about helmets?
A: The Right Step is a NARHA member center and thus is bound to follow their safety policies, including mandatory use of wearing helmets when on or near horses. We have a variety of sizes of lightweight helmets for use by clients, however some clients may wish to use their own helmet. Please consult your therapist regarding appropriate and approved safety helmets for use in treatment.

 
Q: How does a rider get on a horse?
A: We use specially adapted mounting blocks (3 and 4 steps high) in order to get on the horse. Children under 50 pounds can be lifted onto the horse, but individuals between 50 - 180 pounds must have the ability, with 2 person assist, to climb steps with a brief period of weight bearing and standing balance.

 
Q: What is therapeutic driving?
A: Therapeutic driving helps with balance, upper body strength, visual perception, following directions and many other skill areas. Driving with a trained horse and a special carriage or cart, is another way to enjoy equestrian activities for those who may be unable to ride due to current weight, the presence of riding precautions or contraindications, discomfort while riding, or simply because an individual wants to enjoy an outdoor activity of this type. Driving activities can even occur from your own regular wheelchair (unfortunately electric wheelchairs weigh too much for the construction of our vehicles). Driving occurs in a 1:1 lesson with a specially trained and NARHA certified driving instructor.

 
Q: Is there an age limit?
A: Children as young as 2 years old have been involved in hippotherapy at The Right Step, as well as individuals who are 70+, to assist in improving walking and balance after a stroke.

 
Q: How can we get started?
A: Treatment at The Right Step begins with your review of our info packet. The initial evaluation session is scheduled after the return of completed registration paperwork. Click here to request a copy.

 
Q: What does it cost?
A: Evaluation is $200. Each treatment session including hippotherapy is $80. We accept many insurances, offer a pre-pay discount program, and participate in the Right Step Sponsorship Fund. The Right Step also sponsors a summer therapy camp for kids called “Cowboy Up.” “Cowboy Up” Camp runs from June to August and includes 8 Hippotherapy sessions for a $500 registration fee.

 
Q: What is the Right Step Sponsorship Fund?
A: The Right Step Therapy Services participates in the Sponsorship Fund, a charitable nonprofit corporation formed to offer scholarships for Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) to individuals with disabilities who have no insurance and can not afford treatment. The fund also periodically sponsors Professional Credentialed Therapists who complete and publish research into EAA. More research will equate to improved insurance coverage and less need for Scholarship assistance. Details and eligibility are available at the Sponsorship Fund website. Can you help sponsor a child in need? Click on the image below to make a tax-deductible donation now.

 
Q: What about bad weather?
A: Therapy occurs in a natural environment, thus the comfort and well-being of our horses and clients are very important. The Right Step has the following general policy regarding weather conditions: Therapy and riding sessions will be cancelled during high winds, thunderstorms, snow storms and when temperatures are below 20 degrees or above 90 degrees.

 
Q: Is special clothing necessary?
A: Therapy sessions will be happening in a natural stable environment and thus certain clothing will facilitate your comfort during treatment: Long pants, socks, enclosed shoes (no sandals), and appropriate seasonal clothing.

 
Q: Is it okay to observe sessions?
A: You are welcome to bring others to watch your child's therapy. All who observe the program are asked to sign our Visitor Log and follow posted rules. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding confidentiality.

 
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 supervision for them.

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Q: How can I get more information?
A: Click here to request more information.