American Hippotherapy Association

American Hippotherapy Association Hippotherapy: occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology with the help of a horse Why the Horse?

The horse’s walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic, and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the patient are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse’s gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of sensory input to the patient, and then utilize this movement in combination with other treatment strategies to achieve desired results. Patients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable experience in a natural setting.

Still on the fence about attending our virtual conference next week!? 🤨 We have some great topics lined up for 2026 and ...
03/13/2026

Still on the fence about attending our virtual conference next week!? 🤨 We have some great topics lined up for 2026 and a hefty amount of CEU’s… 20.5 to be exact! 🎉

Some key information regarding CEUs and conference recordings: 
📍Conference recordings of all pre-conference and conference speakers will be included in registration for those who sign up before March 18th at 5 pm MT
📍Conference recordings will be available to watch starting 3/23. Be on the lookout for an email with more information!
📍In order to receive the FULL CEU amount, all videos must be watch and evaluations submitted by 4/22 at 5pm MT
📍For presentations that we have received permission for, these recordings  will be available for purchase in late spring for those who did not attend the conference

✨ We are getting excited with just one week, sign-up today and join us! Link to register and more information on conference speakers and sessions can be found in our bio🎉📚🐴💻

Oh boy! We’ve got a website glitch! Our early-bird pricing didn’t update and the conference discount is STILL live! Take...
03/12/2026

Oh boy! We’ve got a website glitch! Our early-bird pricing didn’t update and the conference discount is STILL live! Take advantage of this surprise extension before prices go up $100 this weekend! 

Link to register in our bio or visit our website!

Whew! What a whirlwind the end of February was! Last weekend, AHA, Inc. traveled to Kissimmee, Florida, for the 2026 HHR...
03/09/2026

Whew! What a whirlwind the end of February was! Last weekend, AHA, Inc. traveled to Kissimmee, Florida, for the 2026 HHRF Conference. 🌴☀️✈️Adria, AHA, Inc.’s Executive Director, and Mel, President of the AHA, Inc. BOD, were able to sit in on interesting presentations (even getting a sneak peek of TWO presentations for our upcoming conference 👀), meet with leadership from AHCB, ARCH, HETI, HHRF & PATH Intl., connect with other AHA, Inc. members, faculty, and board members, and even found some time to get some work done by the pool! 😎⛱️After a weekend of learning & networking, a couple of days spent “relaxing” at the most ✨magical ✨place on Earth was just what we needed before our own conference starts in just over 1 week! Thank you HHRF for another wonderful conference 🎉🎉

The good news keeps coming this week! We just received our approval for up to 20.5 CEUs from AOTA for our 2026 conferenc...
03/06/2026

The good news keeps coming this week! We just received our approval for up to 20.5 CEUs from AOTA for our 2026 conference! 🎉🎉🎉

Attendees who register for both pre-conference and conference before March 19th will receive recordings of all presentations to earn the maximum amount of CEUs. Conference recordings need to be watched and evaluations completed no later than 45 days after conference to count for CEU credit. 📝💻✔️

📌 Information on all our invited speakers and presenters can be found on our website, along with registration information. Check the comments or the link in our bio to learn more about our exciting 2026 conference line-up today! ✨

Looking to start your spring with some travel to the Pacific Northwest?! ✈️🌲🥾Our first in-person Part I of the year will...
03/02/2026

Looking to start your spring with some travel to the Pacific Northwest?! ✈️🌲🥾Our first in-person Part I of the year will be hosted in beautiful Redmond, Washington at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center (who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year🎉🎉) Join AHA, Inc. Faculty Pippa Hodge, BSc Rehab, MCPA, HPCS for this three-day, hands-on course learning the fundamentals of hippotherapy! Click the link in comments or in our bio to learn more today✨🐴👩‍💻

We are just a few weeks away from the start of our 2026 conference, and registrations are heating up! Haven’t had a chan...
03/01/2026

We are just a few weeks away from the start of our 2026 conference, and registrations are heating up! Haven’t had a chance to register yet?! Well do we have exciting news for you! 🎉🗓️📌

We JUST heard from ASHA that our 2026 conference is approved for up to 20.5 CEUs! ✨

Attendees who register for both the pre-conference and conference before March 19th will receive recordings of all presentations to earn the maximum amount of professional CEUs. Conference recordings need to be watched and evaluations completed no later than 45 days after conference to count for CEU credit.

Information on all our invited speakers and presenters can be found on our website, along with registration information. Check the comments or the link in our bio to head to our website today!👩‍💻📝📚

We’ve been having a blast at HHRF this weekend! ☀️🌴🐴
03/01/2026

We’ve been having a blast at HHRF this weekend! ☀️🌴🐴

With just a few days left before the end of our early-bird conference pricing, there is no better time than today to sha...
02/26/2026

With just a few days left before the end of our early-bird conference pricing, there is no better time than today to share about our plenary speaker, Dr. Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, Dipl., ACVSMR, FRCVS! ✨🗓️🐴

Dr. Hilary M. Clayton is a veterinarian, researcher, and lifelong horsewoman. After graduating as a veterinarian from Glasgow University, she worked in a mixed animal practice in Scotland for a couple of years before returning to Glasgow to complete a PhD. She then joined the faculty in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy at Glasgow University.

On Saturday, March 21st, Dr. Clayton’s presentation will focus on the physical connection between horse and client during treatment incorporating hippotherapy. Horses vary greatly in size, shape and quality of movement; equine anatomical characteristics that affect the rider’s comfort and connection with the horse will be considered first. The forces generated by the horse and transmitted to the rider will be described,focusing on the rhythmic three-dimensional movements of the horse’s thoracolumbar spine compared with those of the human pelvis during forwards walking.

📌Information on all our invited speakers and presenters can be found on our website, along with registration information. Check the comments or the link in our bio to head to our website and register today!

Next up in our 2026 speaker introductions, we are excited to have Dan Manolachescu as our Keynote Speaker! 🎉 Dan is a Ro...
02/17/2026

Next up in our 2026 speaker introductions, we are excited to have Dan Manolachescu as our Keynote Speaker! 🎉 Dan is a Romanian figure known for his resilience and extraordinary life trajectory. Before his accident, he was a committed polysport athlete, actively involved in mountain climbing and multiple equestrian disciplines, including mounted archery, where he competed at a world championship level.

His life changed dramatically following a severe fall from a horse that resulted in tetraplegia. Confronted with a prognosis that implied permanent paralysis, Dan refused to accept functional limitation as a definitive endpoint. Through sustained physical rehabilitation and exceptional psychological resilience, he progressively regained mobility and returned to demanding physical activities, including alpine skiing, archery, and—most significantly—horse riding. His recovery culminated symbolically in the ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, an achievement that reinforced both his physical recovery and personal philosophy.

📍On Friday, March 20th, Dan will be speaking from the perspective of a patient facing the dramatic consequences of a riding accident that resulted in tetraplegia. Dan shares a deeply human and motivational story of recovery, resilience, and adaptation—capturing the physical, emotional, and existential realities of long-term neurorehabilitation. In this context, therapy incorporating equines appears not as a miraculous cure, but as a stabilizing, motivating, and profoundly meaningful force that sustained hope, engagement, and purpose during the most difficult phases of recovery.

Early-bird pricing for our 2026 Conference ends in just 11 days, so head over to our website or visit the link in our bio to learn more about our Keynote Speaker and register for our virtual conference today!c✨🗓️🐴

There’s just ONE more day to submit your nominations for our 2026 Conference Awards! The Horse of the Year and Therapist...
02/15/2026

There’s just ONE more day to submit your nominations for our 2026 Conference Awards! The Horse of the Year and Therapist of the Year nomination due date is tomorrow, February 16th, at 11:59 PM MT. Award criteria and the online nomination form can be found on our website. Get your nominations in today for these two awards honoring two of our most prominent founders and leaders ✨🏆🐴

We’re so excited to introduce our invited speakers for our 2026 Pre-Conference and Conference sessions! 🎉🎉🎉📍First up, we...
02/11/2026

We’re so excited to introduce our invited speakers for our 2026 Pre-Conference and Conference sessions! 🎉🎉🎉

📍First up, we have our Pre-Conference Speaker, Gillian Higgins of “Horses Inside Out.” Gillian is one of the leading equine anatomy and biomechanics educators in the world. Her work has improved the lives of thousands of horses, and she inspires equestrians from all disciplines. Gillian is passionate about horses, equine anatomy, and sharing all she knows for the good of the horse.

🗓️ On Thursday, March 19th, Gillian will be speaking over three sessions on how the horse’s back actually moves & examining where movement occurs along the spine, exploring how the horse’s back and limbs move in each gait, highlighting subtle variations in stride, rhythm, and mobility, and providing simple, practical polework and equine Pilates exercises designed to improve posture, core stability, flexibility, and strengthin equines. These presentations will have something for therapists, equestrians, and horse enthusiasts alike! Check out our story for some of Gillian’s videos 🤗

Please note that Gillian’s presentation will not be available for purchase after conference, so if learning from her is on your 2026 to-do list, sign up using the link in our bio or on the AHA, Inc. website today! Early-bird pricing ends at the end of the month ♥️

Winter weather got you stuck inside?! 🥶❄️ Well, our educational offerings are heating up this February🔥! We have so many...
02/06/2026

Winter weather got you stuck inside?! 🥶❄️

Well, our educational offerings are heating up this February🔥!

We have so many virtual courses to take advantage of from the warmth of your own home (or stall 😉) over the next month, which ones are you signing up for?! 🗓️✍️🐴

Address

1001 A E. Harmony Road PMB 12
Fort Collins, CO
80525

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when American Hippotherapy Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to American Hippotherapy Association:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category