Terms and Definitions

I received a recent email – pointing out a terminology blunder – a real faux pas in this EAA/T industry.  We have all followed the ongoing terminology debates – most of us have tired of them.  But I must admit this complaint was well placed. 

In a press release we had mixed terms.  Basic ones, at that.

From a friend setting us straight: 

In reading the news release on the list serve about the new grants through HHRF, there is a summary of Tim’s work. (12th paragraph) In the description, it is stated that the children had 12 weeks of “therapeutic horseback riding” and then the next statement says, the study provided strong evidence that “hippotherapy”….Is there any way to proofread material to ensure that these two terms are used clearly, appropriately and not interchangeably?  TR is not hippotherapy! (I know I’m preaching to the choir, but…) I just presented at NARHA conference about the confusion (yet again) and to have a highly visible organization like HHRF get it mixed up is very frustrating.

Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy

Therapeutic Riding – Mounted activities including traditional riding disciplines or adaptive riding activities conducted by a NARHA certified instructor.

Hippotherapy – Physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. This strategy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.

At the NARHA conference I facilitated a research forum. One of our presenters –Karolina Przewloka, from Poland, pointed out early that her terminology was quite different from NARHA’s – that “hippotherpy” in her study refers to all forms of equine assisted activities… and so the confusion moves forward as we cross the international boundaries that HHRF strives to cover.

For now, HHRF has posted definitions on our web site that we ask applicants to use.  We truly regret the inconvenience to our international applicants who have to “re-define” their vocabulary during their application process.  We know our scientific reviewers need common-terminology ground, and we have not yet come up with a better solution.

In the mean time – thanks for reading our press releases – and thanks for your professional terminology reminders – we will make it a point to adhere to HHRF’s terminology guide in our own publications.

If you have any questions or thoughts, please email me or post comments here on the blog.

-KC Henry

(KCHenry@HorsesandHumans.org)

HHRF Executive Director

www.HorsesandHumans.org

 

 

NARHA Conference Experience

 

Attending the NARHA conference in Hartford Ct from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 was, as always, an inspiring experience – I love being around so many folks who are exceptionally dedicated to EAA/T.

My favorite part was the chance to talk to the multitude of people – to hear what is going on in the small and large programs and in the industry as whole.

It strikes me that the diversity of this industry has increased dramatically.  There are so many exciting variations to EAA/T now! Including not only my personal background in recreational riding for people with disabilities, but also a strong and professional focus in areas of learning/education, corporate-team building (sample), hippotherapy, mental health, and many more.   The large number of people who expressed interest and support of EAA/T research was especially heartening to me!

Kathy Alm, NARHA President-elect and current V.P., standing with Pat Mullins, HHRF Advisory Council member, holding his 2008 NARHA James Brady Award.

HHRF board members present – Molly Sweeney, Octavia Brown, Michael Kaufmann and Judy Lightfoot – also networked and enjoyed the conference experience.  We made a concerted effort to take time to share and learn from board members and executive directors of every national and international association that we could connect with.  These meetings included officers/representatives from EFMHA, AHA, NARHA and FRDI.  We discussed many aspects of research and specifically addressed future collaborative possibilities and needs related to developing research that will further the industry.  We were really excited to be discussing partnering on an international basis – and we are looking forward to talking to the many other national and international associations who may also interested. 

We hope to establish an international research symposium in the not too distant future to further our collaborative efforts in these areas. 

 

We’d love to hear from people with ideas and interests in this direction.

 

Please e-mail me to share ideas, or leave comments on the blog!

 

KC Henry

HHRF Executive Director

KCHenry@HorsesandHumans.org

www.HorsesandHumans.org