Mercy Children’s Hippotherapy Program is an equine-assisted therapy program in Ohio offering hippotherapy and horse-based activities for children with physical, cognitive, and developmental needs. The program is designed to support improvements in balance, coordination, motor planning, communication, and overall functional development through structured interaction with horses in a clinical and supportive environment.
The program is typically integrated within a broader healthcare or therapy framework, where equine movement is used as part of a goal-directed treatment approach. Children participate in carefully guided sessions that combine therapeutic riding elements with clinical objectives to support measurable developmental progress.
About This Program
Mercy Children’s Hippotherapy Program provides hippotherapy services that use the movement of the horse as a therapeutic tool, guided by licensed healthcare professionals. The program is structured to support individualized treatment goals for each child.
Sessions are designed around clinical objectives such as improving posture, balance, strength, sensory processing, and communication skills. The horse’s natural gait is incorporated into therapy sessions to encourage neuromotor development and functional improvement in a safe and controlled environment.
Services Offered
• Hippotherapy (clinical equine movement therapy)
• Therapeutic riding (supportive/adaptive components)
• Physical and occupational therapy integration
• Speech and language therapy support (when applicable)
• Balance and coordination development
• Motor planning and sensory integration therapy
• Pediatric developmental therapy services
Who They Serve
Mercy Children’s Hippotherapy Program may be good for:
• Children
• Children with physical disabilities
• Children with developmental delays
• Children with neurological conditions
• Pediatric therapy patients
• Individuals needing clinical, goal-based equine therapy support
Facility and Setting
Mercy Children’s Hippotherapy Program is located in Ohio and operates in a clinical equestrian setting designed specifically for therapeutic use. The environment is structured, controlled, and focused on safety and clinical outcomes.
The facility supports coordinated care between therapists, horses, and trained staff to ensure each session meets individualized therapeutic goals in a secure and supportive space.
What Makes Them Unique
Mercy Children’s Hippotherapy Program stands out for its clinical, therapy-driven model of equine-assisted services. Unlike recreational riding programs, it integrates licensed therapy practices with equine movement to support measurable developmental outcomes.
Its combination of healthcare integration, structured equine work, and individualized treatment planning creates a focused and effective environment for pediatric therapy.