American Hippotherapy Association (AHA): Mission, Education, and How It Supports Clinicians

The American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), Inc. is a United States–based nonprofit that educates licensed clinicians on how to integrate equine movement into occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

AHA defines hippotherapy clearly, offers a structured education pathway, supports research, and connects the public with therapists who use equine movement as a treatment tool.

This guide explains what AHA is, how it works, and how families and care teams can use AHA resources to make informed decisions.

Who AHA Is

AHA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that “provides educational resources and continuing education courses for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals who incorporate equines, equine movement, and the equine environment in treatment.”

The association’s vision is that skilled therapy services incorporating horses are accessible to every person who could benefit.

How AHA defines hippotherapy

AHA uses a precise, profession-centered definition: hippotherapy is how OT, PT, and SLP professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems and promote functional outcomes. In other words, the horse’s movement is a treatment tool inside a licensed plan of care.

What AHA Does (in practice)

Education and courses

AHA runs a multi-part curriculum that teaches clinicians how to use equine movement safely and effectively. Entry courses (Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I) are designed for PT, OT, and SLP professionals and assistants; advanced courses build dose-shaping, equine knowledge, and treatment planning. Courses combine lecture and hands-on practicums with horses.

Research support and frameworks

Beyond classes, AHA maintains research pages and a conceptual framework first created in 1997 to help therapists reason through why and how equine movement affects function, and to generate testable hypotheses for further study.

Ethics, resources, and a therapist directory

Members commit to a professional Code of Ethics, and the site provides resource documents, FAQs, and a “Find a Therapist” directory to help the public locate trained providers. Membership tiers include listings and access to member resources.

Conferences and ongoing learning

AHA hosts education events and a biennial international conference to share clinical updates, research, and best practices with the field.

Training Pathway and Certifications (how the pieces fit)

AHA educates; a separate board certifies.

• AHA coursework: Clinicians typically complete Part I and Part II courses in treatment principles and equine skills. Finishing both Parts I and II is required to sit for the Hippotherapy Certification Board (HCB) exam.
• Hippotherapy Certification Board (HCB): HCB administers exams and offers credentials (including an entry-level certification and an advanced Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist). Prerequisites include AHA coursework or equivalent graduate coursework and documented clinical hours using hippotherapy.

This division matters for families: you may see AHA-trained therapists, HCB-certified therapists, or both. Either way, hippotherapy is provided by licensed OTs, PTs, and SLPs working within their scope of practice.

A Short History (milestones)

• 1987: A cohort of American and Canadian therapists studied in Germany and began building a standardized North American curriculum.
• 1992: The American Hippotherapy Association formed to advance education and standards for the integration of equine movement in therapy.
• 1999 onward: The Hippotherapy Certification Board (HCB) was established and later expanded to include entry-level certification and specialist credentials.
• Today: AHA continues education, research support, and conferences, including recent anniversary initiatives to expand access to high-quality training.

How AHA Relates to Other Organizations

AHA’s mission is clinician education and resources; it does not run riding lessons or accredit centers. In many communities, AHA-trained clinicians practice in settings that also follow broader equine-assisted services standards. AHA’s own best-practice statements note that therapists must follow their professional scope and applicable program standards in their setting.

What This Means for Families and Care Teams

If you are looking for a program:

• Use AHA’s Find a Therapist to locate licensed clinicians who incorporate equine movement, and ask whether they have also pursued HCB certification.
• Expect a clear plan of care, measurable goals, and coordination with your existing providers. A therapist should explain why mounted or unmounted work is indicated for your goals, and how safety and horse welfare are protected. (For example, helmets, appropriate tack, mounting ramps or lifts, and clear stop rules are standard in quality programs.)

If you are a clinician considering training:

• Start with AHA Part I as an entry point, and progress to Part II and beyond. When you are ready, submit to HCB for certification, which requires coursework and verified clinical hours using hippotherapy.

Why AHA Matters

Hippotherapy is not a standalone service; it is a treatment strategy inside licensed OT, PT, and SLP practice. AHA’s role—shaping definitions, teaching dose and safety, supporting research, and connecting the public to trained clinicians—helps the field stay grounded in ethics, science, and clarity about scope.

That clarity is what families need as they decide whether equine-assisted care belongs in their plan.