New to the barn or the field? This glossary explains the most common terms you will hear in equine-assisted therapy — what they mean, who uses them, and why they matter for safety, quality, and outcomes.
A
AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy)
A structured, goal-directed intervention that incorporates animals under the guidance of a qualified professional to support health or education outcomes.
Accreditation (Center)
A voluntary review process in which a program is evaluated against published standards for safety, administration, and horse welfare. Often associated with an external body such as PATH International (Premier Accredited Center).
Adaptive Riding (Therapeutic Riding)
Individualized riding instruction for people with disabilities, focused on riding skills, inclusion, and participation. Not clinical therapy.
AHA (American Hippotherapy Association)
U.S. nonprofit that educates licensed PT, OT, and SLP professionals in the safe and effective use of equine movement within treatment.
Aids (Riding Aids)
The rider’s signals to the horse — seat, legs, hands, voice, and focus — that cue movement and direction.
Arousal (Physiological Arousal)
Level of activation in the nervous system. In sessions, the aim is a workable middle range that supports learning and regulation.
B
Bilateral Integration
Coordinating both sides of the body for tasks like turning, reaching across midline, or alternating steps.
Boundaries (Space and Contact)
Clear, respectful limits that keep people and horses safe while maintaining connection.
C
CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association)
National body for therapeutic riding in Canada that trains and certifies instructors and accredits centers.
Carryover (Generalization)
Using a skill practiced at the barn in daily life — at home, school, or work.
Centerline / Rail (Arena Landmarks)
Centerline is the imaginary line down the middle of the arena; the rail is the track along the wall or fence.
Clinician (Licensed)
A PT, OT, SLP, or mental health professional working within their legal scope of practice.
Co-Regulation
Two beings influencing each other’s arousal and calm. Often observed when a person’s steady breathing helps a horse settle, or vice versa.
Contraindication
A medical or behavioral reason an activity should not occur. For example, unstable spine may contraindicate mounted work.
CTRI (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor)
PATH International’s entry-level instructor credential for adaptive riding.
D
Debrief
A brief, structured conversation after an activity to reflect on what happened, what worked, and what to try next.
Desensitization (Habituation)
Gradual exposure to a stimulus to reduce reactivity while keeping welfare in mind.
Dismount (Emergency Dismount)
Safely getting a rider off the horse, including a practiced emergency procedure if needed.
E
EAL (Equine-Assisted Learning)
Non-clinical, goal-based education using horse interactions to build communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
EAP (Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy)
Mental health therapy led by a licensed clinician who integrates horses to address goals like trauma recovery, anxiety, and relationship skills.
EAS (Equine-Assisted Services)
Umbrella term for services that incorporate horses, including therapy, adaptive riding, learning, and related activities.
Ethogram (Equine Behavior Reference)
A list of horse behaviors and what they may indicate, used to monitor welfare and stress.
Evidence-Informed
Combining the best available research, clinical expertise, and participant values to guide practice.
F
Figure Eight / Serpentine (Arena Patterns)
Common riding or leading patterns used to practice turns, balance, and attention.
Flight Zone
A horse’s personal space where pressure prompts movement; reading it supports safe, clear communication.
G
Gait (Walk, Trot, Canter)
The horse’s patterns of movement. In therapy and adaptive riding, most work is at the walk for steady, rhythmic input.
Groundwork
Unmounted activities such as grooming, leading, and liberty work that develop communication, boundaries, and regulation.
H
Halters and Leads
Basic equipment for handling horses from the ground. A halter fits the head; a lead rope attaches to guide movement.
HAT / ASTM-SEI Helmet
Equestrian helmets meeting safety standards. Proper fit is a core safety requirement when riding.
HCB (Hippotherapy Certification Board)
Certifies clinicians in the integration of equine movement, including advanced specialist credentials.
Herd Dynamics
Roles, relationships, and spacing within a group of horses; often used to teach observation and social awareness.
HETI (Horses in Education and Therapy International)
Global network supporting education and dialogue in equine-assisted services.
Hippotherapy
A clinical treatment strategy in which licensed PTs, OTs, or SLPs use the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to address functional goals.
Horse Welfare
The physical and psychological well-being of the horse—adequate rest, appropriate workload, humane training, and the horse’s ability to “say no” through body language.
I
Informed Consent
Clear agreement to participate after risks, benefits, and alternatives are explained in plain language.
Instructor (Adaptive Riding)
A professional trained and certified to teach riding with adaptations. Distinct from a licensed clinician.
L
Lead Rope / Leading
Holding and guiding the horse from the ground, often used to teach pacing, boundaries, and congruent signals.
Lunge Line / Lungeing
Working a horse in a controlled circle on a long line to develop rhythm and communication. Used sparingly around participants for safety.
M
Midline (Postural Midline)
The body’s center axis. Many activities aim to improve awareness and alignment at midline.
Mounting Block, Ramp, or Lift
Equipment and methods for safe, accessible mounting.
N
Neuromotor Sequencing
The ordered firing of muscles to produce smooth, functional movement. Often targeted through the horse’s rhythmic walk.
O
Outcome Measure
A tool or indicator used to track progress. May be standardized (for example, balance tests) or practical (for example, fewer prompts needed).
OT (Occupational Therapy)
Licensed healthcare profession supporting participation in meaningful activities. In this context, may integrate equine movement within treatment.
P
PATH International
Professional association that publishes standards, accredits centers, and certifies adaptive riding professionals.
Plan of Care (POC)
A clinician’s documented goals, methods, and review timeline for therapy.
POCUS (Plain-Observation Check-In)
A quick, structured scan of posture, breath, and arousal before an activity.
Precaution
A condition requiring modification or monitoring rather than absolute exclusion.
Pressure and Release
The principle of applying a clear cue (pressure) and softening when the horse responds (release). Also used to teach humane, effective communication.
Proprioception
Body-position sense from muscles and joints. The horse’s movement provides rich proprioceptive input.
PT (Physical Therapy)
Licensed healthcare profession focused on movement, posture, and function. May integrate equine movement within treatment.
R
Regulation (Self- and Co-Regulation)
Shifting arousal toward a workable middle. Practiced through breath, pacing, and clear asks.
Reins
Straps connected to the bit or bitless bridle that transmit hand-based cues when riding.
Risk Management
Policies and practices that prevent harm—equipment checks, horse screening, weather plans, and emergency procedures.
S
Scope of Practice
The legally defined activities a professional is qualified to perform. For example, psychotherapy is provided by licensed mental health clinicians; riding instruction is provided by certified instructors.
Screening (Intake)
A review of goals, medical history, and behavior to determine fit and safety.
Self-Efficacy
Belief in one’s ability to succeed. Built through achievable challenges with the horse.
Sensory Integration
The nervous system’s process for organizing sensory information. The horse’s rhythmic movement and grooming routines support this learning.
Side Walker
A trained helper who walks beside the rider to support safety and alignment during mounted activities.
SLP (Speech-Language Pathology)
Licensed healthcare profession addressing communication and swallowing. May integrate equine movement for breath, phonation, and pacing goals.
Stop Rule
A predefined condition that pauses or ends an activity when the person or horse shows stress, pain, or fatigue.
Surcingle
A wide strap with handles used over pads for mounted work, allowing varied hand positions without a saddle.
T
Tack
Collective term for horse equipment—saddle, bridle, pads, surcingle, and girth.
Therapeutic Driving
Carriage driving adapted for people who cannot or prefer not to ride, targeting coordination, reaction time, and participation.
Thermal or Tactile Input (Grooming)
Warmth and touch sensations that, when graded predictably, can support regulation.
Transitions
Changing between gaits or speeds, or moving between halt and walk. Useful for timing, breath, and postural control.
V
Vaulting (Therapeutic Vaulting)
Choreographed movement on a moving horse adapted for participation and motor learning with strong safety protocols.
Vestibular Input
Balance information from the inner ear. The horse’s sway provides gentle vestibular stimulation.
W
Weight Shift (Lateral and Anterior-Posterior)
Controlled movement of body weight over the base of support; a foundation for balance and gait.
Welfare Indicators (Horse)
Observable signs such as pinned ears, tail swishing, tension around the mouth or eyes, head tossing, grinding, or avoidance that signal stress and the need to modify or stop.
Y
Yield (Yield the Hindquarters/Forehand)
A groundwork exercise teaching the horse to move away from light, clear pressure; used to build communication and safety skills.
Quick Model Map (Who Leads What)
- Hippotherapy — Led by licensed PT, OT, or SLP (clinical).
- Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy — Led by a licensed mental health clinician (clinical).
- Adaptive Riding — Led by certified riding instructors (instructional).
- Equine-Assisted Learning — Led by trained facilitators or educators (educatio
