Hippotherapy is a treatment approach that uses the movement of the horse to enhance neuromotor function and sensory processing. The therapist directs the movement of the horse; analyzes the child's responses; and adjusts the treatment accordingly. The goals of classic hippoTherapy are to improve the child's posture, balance, mobility, and function.

Disabilities that may benefit from hippoTherapy include cerebral palsy, cerebral vascular accident, traumatic brain injury, and functional spinal curvatures. Clinical problems that can be effectively treated by hippoTherapy include abnormal muscle tone, abnormal reflexes, flexible postural asymmetries, impaired postural control, impaired balance responses, impaired coordination, and decreased mobility.