INFO FOR PARTICIPANTS
Course Location
Course Fees
Riding for the Disabled Carine, Monyash Road Carine Perth WA 6020
(Please put ‘RDA Carine’ in your GPS to ensure it takes you directly to the centre)
Horse Handling Day $100 (ex gst)
Hippotherapy Horse Handlers & Therapists
​
Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part 1
Therapists Only
N.B Maximum capacity of 20 participants
RDAA members will be given priority consideration during registration processing
​
RDAA Member EARLY BIRD (Register before 31/5/23) $1000 (ex gst)
RDAA Member (Registering after 30/4/23) $1200 (ex gst)
Non RDAA Member EARLY BIRD (Register before 31/5/23) $1300 (ex gst)
Non RDAA Member (Registering after 30/4/23) $1600 (ex gst)
Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea included
Travel Information
Qantas T4
Virgin T1
RDA Carine is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the WARWICK TRAIN STATION
Accommodation Options
Sorrento Beach Resort Ph: (08) 9246 8100 https://www.sorrentobeach.com.au
​
Karrinyup Water Resort Ph: (08) 9447 6665 https://www.kwr.net.au
​
Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com.au
Include discount codes if applicable
Things to do in Perth
Karen, Pippa & Sally



Faculty
Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS
Karen has a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is the owner of Silver Lining Therapy, LLC in Texas. She is an AHA Faculty member, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS), PATH-Intl Master Instructor and Driving Instructor. She is an adjunct professor for the OTA Program at Lone Star College. Karen is certified in Natural Lifemanship Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP) Therapy specialties include sensory integration, aquatics, DIR Floor time and NDT. She presents at local, state, and national conferences on a variety of topics within OT, hippotherapy, adaptive riding and horse training. She utilizes a variety of natural horsemanship techniques in her horse training and therapy sessions. Karen is a past President and former Board Member of the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc.
Pippa Hodge, BSc Rehab, MCPA, HPCS
Pippa is a Physiotherapist specializing in Pediatrics. She works as a consultant in the school district and infant development programs. She was instrumental in developing Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association, where she treats adults and children using hippotherapy. She is an examiner for the Canadian Therapeutic Equestrian Association (CANTRA) and is a member of the CANTRA Medical Committee. She has been active in therapeutic riding since the early 1980’s. Pippa has taught workshops in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and in the USA, as well as most Provinces in Canada. Pippa is a founding member and board member of the American Hippotherapy Association and attended the Rommel Klinik, in Germany. In 1990 she produced a video “Analysis of Horse and Human Movement” which has sold internationally and won first prize for research in the1997, 2nd Festival du Fiolm Hanid Cheval in France.
Faculty
Karen Gardner, MOT, OTR, HPCS
Karen has a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and is the owner of Silver Lining Therapy, LLC in Texas. She is an AHA Faculty member, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS), PATH-Intl Master Instructor and Driving Instructor. She is an adjunct professor for the OTA Program at Lone Star College. Karen is certified in Natural Lifemanship Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP) Therapy specialties include sensory integration, aquatics, DIR Floor time and NDT. She presents at local, state, and national conferences on a variety of topics within OT, hippotherapy, adaptive riding and horse training. She utilizes a variety of natural horsemanship techniques in her horse training and therapy sessions. Karen is a past President and former Board Member of the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc.
​
Pippa Hodge, BSc Rehab, MCPA, HPCS
Pippa is a Physiotherapist specializing in Pediatrics. She works as a consultant in the school district and infant development programs. She was instrumental in developing Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association, where she treats adults and children using hippotherapy. She is an examiner for the Canadian Therapeutic Equestrian Association (CANTRA) and is a member of the CANTRA Medical Committee. She has been active in therapeutic riding since the early 1980’s. Pippa has taught workshops in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and in the USA, as well as most Provinces in Canada. Pippa is a founding member and board member of the American Hippotherapy Association and attended the Rommel Klinik, in Germany. In 1990 she produced a video “Analysis of Horse and Human Movement” which has sold internationally and won first prize for research in the1997, 2nd Festival du Fiolm Hanid Cheval in France.
Sally Francis, OAM, RDAA Level 2 Coach, Level 2 Hippotherapy Horse Handler, RDAA National Assessor, Coach Educator for Riding, Hippotherapy Horse Handling and Vaulting.
Sally Francis was awarded OAM in recognition for services to Horse Sports and to people with disability in the general division of the 2019 Queens Birthday Honours.
At age 25 Sally embarked on a career with the Riding for Disabled Association (RDA). She also became involved with the Australian Para Equestrian team, attending numerous world championships and Paralympics as a Carer, Chef d’Equipe and, in Hong Kong in 2008, as assistant coach.
In 2012 Sally led the team at the London Paralympics, where one of the riders won a gold medal. Sally retired after the Rio Paralympics (2016) as the Para equestrian Team Leader with another successful overseas campaign.
Sally has been involved in Hippotherapy since it's inception into RDAA with Barbara Heine. Sally has also presented with Pippa Hodge numerous times in Australia.
Registration Information
HIPPOTHERAPY HORSE HANDLING
Sally Francis will take participants through horse handling techniques specific to supporting Hippotherapy treatment sessions. This practical, one day course, will be beneficial for all volunteers/horse handlers who work to support Hippotherapy sessions.
HIPPOTHERAPY TREATMENT PRINCIPLES PART 1
Therapists Only
A certificate of attendance will be provided.
​
All attendees will receive an electronic version of the AHA, Inc. Hippotherapy Treatment Principles - Part 1 course manual. The course fee also includes lunch. During the course you will be on and/or working directly with horses. Please have appropriate clothing/ footwear. Helmets will be provided. If your weight exceeds 85kg, you may be excused from the mounted portion of the course. Indicate any special needs on the registration form (i.e. food allergies) and by contacting Charissa Scotford (Charissa.s@andersonnds.com.au) prior to submitting your registration form.
The criteria for satisfactory completion of this course are: (1) documented attendance for the entire course, (2) learners’ demonstration of their acquisition of skills through satisfactory completion of interactive practicums and/or active participation in course discussions; and (3) completion of the course evaluation form.
Cancellation Policies:
AHA, Inc. reserves the right to adjust course dates, times, and faculty to accommodate unforeseen circumstances including cancellation of the course due to insufficient registration up to 3 weeks prior to the scheduled start date. Notification will only be made to advanced registrants. Neither AHA, Inc. nor the course location is responsible for any expenses incurred by registrants due to such adjustments.
Participant cancellation requests must be made in writing no less than 3 weeks prior to the course start date to receive a refund, minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations received within three weeks prior to the start of the course.
A Certificate of Attendance will be provided.
Course prerequisite:
Successful completion of the on-line “Intro to Equine Skills” test reviewing equine care and management. Completion of the course prerequisite must be done at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the Hippotherapy Treatment Principles – Part 1 course. AHA, Inc. staff will confirm with that the test has been completed and passed. The cost of the test included in the course tuition. You will be contacted by the AHA, Inc. office regarding test enrollment.
​
Course Overview: This course is an overview of the principles of hippotherapy, designed for therapists (PT, OT, SP) interested in utilizing hippotherapy in their practice. The course is equivalent to 4 days total instruction.
Hippotherapy Treatment Principles
Part 1 Learning Objectives and Outcomes: Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Speech Pathologists taking this course will gain an understanding of the principles, history, theory and research of the application of Hippotherapy --skilled equine movement--as a treatment strategy/tool within a plan of care (POC) in OT, PT and SP practice. Therapists will observe and analyze a therapy treatment with skilled equine movement and discuss the adaptive responses in the patient. Therapists will be introduced to skilled equine movement and the effect of the horse’s conformation and movement on the systems of the human body for implementation in a POC for a variety of diagnoses and patients. The following learning outcomes will be assessed during participation in active learning activities, learner demonstration of skills during practicums, and class discussions and small group work.
Learning Outcomes:
-
Therapists will be able to define the term Hippotherapy, skilled equine movement and identify at least 3 primary principles of hippotherapy.
-
Therapists will be able to list and describe at least 5 key considerations in patient evaluation for determining if Hippotherapy, skilled equine movement, should be included in a patient’s Plan of Care.
-
Therapists will be able to list and describe at least 6 precautions/contraindications that should be considered when deciding on the inclusion of Hippotherapy, skilled equine movement into a patient’s plan of care and describe appropriate safety procedures during intervention.
-
Therapists will be able to list and describe the 5 primary parameters with respect to matching patient impairment, size and functional limitation and horse size, gait and temperament for optimal and safe incorporation of skilled equine movement into a POC to maximize functional outcomes.
-
Therapists will be able to describe the effect of skilled equine movement on at least 3 different patient diagnoses as related to their systems impairment, participation restriction and functional outcomes through participation in a treatment planning practicum.
-
Therapists will demonstrate correct documentation in writing treatment and progress notes related to the current use of equine movement in OT, PT and SP practice.
-
Therapists will be able to list 3 examples of how the therapist using skilled equine movement incorporates the AHA Best Practice Guidelines into practice.
-
Therapists will be able to cite 3 current research articles applicable to Hippotherapy, skilled equine movement.
Basic Course Schedule:
HIPPOTHERAPY TREATMENT PRINCIPLES PART 1
DAY 1
9:00 Registration
9:30 Welcome/ Introductions
10:00 Overview of HPOT: Why the Horse?
Objectives, Therapist Responsibilities Handling/Leading safety
10:30 Basic Handling/Safety
10:45 Leading w/o horses
11:00 Leading – w/ horses
Cross tie/ quick release for a horse
11:30 BREAK
11:45 Basic Gaits, Key Elements of Equine Movement
12:15 Movement Demo- Basic Gaits
12:30 Grooming / Hoof Care Tacking Demo/Practicum- Application for Therapy
1:30 LUNCH
2:30 Conformation related to HPOT
3:00 Conformation / Movement Analysis Practicum
4:00 BREAK
4:15 Equine Psychology/Behavior Sensory function, Stress/Burn out
4:45 Horse Care / Management
5:15 Training and Conditioning
5:45 Review Objectives
DAY 2
9:00 Overview, Objectives
9:15 Horse/Human Interaction
10:00 Movement mounted practicum
11:30 BREAK
11:45 Human Systems as Related to HPOT
1:15 LUNCH
2:15 Human Movement and Function Gait, Postural Control, Speech and Language
4:00 Unique Contributions of Equine Movement
4:15 BREAK
4:30 Selecting the Patient Precautions
/Contraindications, Absolute Contraindications
5:30 Evaluating the Patient
6:00 Discussion/Questions
DAY 3
9:30 Selecting the Therapy Horse
10:15 Equipment Options/Impact
11:00 Helmet Use and Fit
11:15 BREAK
11:30 Transitioning On/Off the Horse Transitioning Demo
12:30 Emergency Procedures / patient handling Demo of Emergency
1:15 LUNCH
2:15 School Figures/Effects of Movement
2:45 BREAK
3:00 Treatment Progression Alternate Positions and Effects Alternative positions Demo
4:00 Tandem HPOT Applications/Issues
4:15 Facility Suitability/Safety
4:45 Paper Patient Group Work
5:45 Discussion/Questions
DAY 4
9:00 Review Muddy Points
9:30 Video of Patient Demos
10:00 Group Work-Treatment Plan for Demos
10:45 Presentation of Tx Plan
11:45 Business Issues – Business Models Quality Assurance, Reimbursement Documentation
1:00 Lunch
HTPP.1 & HORSE HANDLING DAY SOLD OUT FOR 2023
REGISTRATION EMAIL EXAMPLE
You can copy and paste this information into your email.
Hi, I would like to register for Hippotherapy conference 2023.
PERSONAL DETAILS:
-
Name: [FULL NAME]
-
Phone: [0400 000 000]
-
Email: [email@example.com.au]
-
City, State, Country: [Perth, WA, Australia]
-
Credentials/Professional Designation: [ OT/PT/SP ]
TAX INVOICE INFORMATION (If applicable)
-
Organisation Name:
-
Organisation Adress:
-
ABN:
-
GST:
-
Email Address:
LEAVE US A MESSAGE
You can write any other information for us here:



Proudly brought to you by:
HORSELAND PERTH | AMERICAN HIPPOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION INC TOGETHER WITH RDA CARINE