How to Choose an Equine-Assisted Therapy Program

Equine-assisted therapy programs vary widely in structure, staffing, and quality. Because this work involves vulnerable participants and animals both, it is worth being deliberate about who you choose.

What to look for

• Relevant credentials for the staff running sessions. Depending on the program type, this might mean a licensed therapist, a certified therapeutic riding instructor, or specific equine-assisted learning training. Ask directly what qualifies the people running sessions.
• Suitable, well-trained horses. The horses used in this work need to be exceptionally calm and predictable. Ask how horses are selected and prepared for this role.
• A clear program structure. Good programs can explain their approach and typical session progression, not just describe a general feeling.
• Appropriate safety protocols, especially for programs working with physical disabilities or riding components.

Questions to ask

• What is your staff’s training and credentials?
• How are your horses selected and prepared for this work?
• What does a typical session look like?
• What outcomes have you seen with participants working on goals similar to mine?
• What happens if a participant or horse has a bad day?

Red flags

Be cautious of programs that make specific medical or psychological treatment claims without licensed staff involved, that cannot clearly explain their approach, or that seem more focused on the horse experience than the participant’s actual goals.

Work out which type you actually need

The three main formats serve different goals and are not interchangeable. Therapeutic riding is adapted instruction, generally led by a certified riding instructor. Equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy are usually ground-based and, where mental health goals are involved, should include a licensed mental health professional. Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy used by a licensed physical, occupational or speech therapist, who directs the session and bills as a therapist. If a program cannot tell you which of these it is doing, that is the answer to your first question.

Cost and funding

Pricing varies enormously, and so does how it is funded. Many therapeutic riding centres operate as nonprofits and hold scholarship funds, so it is worth asking rather than assuming. Hippotherapy delivered by a licensed therapist is the format most likely to attract insurance coverage, because it is billed as therapy rather than as a riding lesson. Ask what a full course is likely to cost before you commit, and ask what happens to sessions you do not use.

Before the first session

Expect an intake conversation about goals and any medical considerations. Bring a helmet if riding is involved, or confirm the centre supplies one that fits properly. Wear boots with a heel. And be honest at intake about anything affecting safety, including medication and mobility limits. Programs can accommodate a great deal, but only what they know about.

Frequently asked questions

Should I visit before committing?

Whenever possible, yes. Watching a session gives you a much clearer sense of the program than a website or phone call.

How long do programs typically run?

It varies enormously by goal and program type — anywhere from a handful of sessions to ongoing, open-ended participation.