Unusual Jobs You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Hippotherapist

If you’re thinking that hippotherapy has something to do with hippopotamuses, you’d be sorely mistaken. While “hippo” is Latin for horse, hippotherapy refers to using horse riding as a form of therapy for people with disabilities. By riding horses, patients can develop better balance, coordination, and muscle tone while also improving their confidence and becoming more independent.

So, what exactly does a hippotherapist’s job entail? Well, a hippotherapist will place their patient on top of a horse and help the patient to ride the horse in a way that actually helps to improve their posture, coordination, balance, and their ability to move! Hippotherapists usually have a background in either occupational therapy or physical therapy and will use their specialized knowledge to select the best riding patterns, speeds and postures for each patient so that they can receive the most effective treatment possible.