Text on a black background that reads "Therapy Strides" in white and light gray font.

Horses helping kids communicate

Specially-designed speech and language therapy delivered by licensed and certificated SLPs

Now in the SLP’s Scope of Practice

A young boy learning how to properly pronounce certain words and articulate by using a large horse inside a barn with a child and an adult, hand also reaching towards the horse.
Logo of Ohio State University with Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Science in College of Arts and Sciences

In 2017, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association recognized the use of equine-facilitated speech and language therapy as a tool in promoting positive functional outcomes for a variety of communication deficits.

Therapy Strides is proudly working alongside the Ohio State University Speech-Language Hearing Clinic to further advance equine-based delivery of speech and language therapy. Together, they will create:  (1) an innovative equine clinical placement model linking graduate Speech-Language Pathology programs with community practitioners, and (2) an equine-specific curriculum for diverse communication disorders, grounded in rigorous clinical research.

Children and an adult learning to lead a horse in an indoor riding arena, white horse, the children are holding the reins, and the adult is smiling in the background.
A young child using a red toy ring to understand speech for therapy technique, with two adults and a horse in a barn or indoor riding area.
Two children pet and interact with a white and brown paint horse inside a barn, with a grassy outdoor area visible through an open door.
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Addressing a variety of communication needs using nature and equine interaction and movement as therapy tools

  • Speech disorders such as stuttering, apraxia, and articulation/phonology

  • Language disorders that impede the ability to comprehend and express a variety of linguistic functions such as sequencing events, vocabulary and concept development, producing grammatically correct sentences, and understanding and retelling a story

  • Pragmatic language disorders that impact the ability to use language for a variety of social purposes such as making inferences and problem-solving

“My son thoroughly enjoyed his time at Therapy Strides equine camp this summer! His speech apraxia didn’t hold him back at all. The staff were very patient and eager to help him improve his words. Each day after camp I saw improvement”

— Parent

Children and adults grooming and petting a large brown horse inside a barn with an open door leading outside to a grassy area with trees.

Interested in seeing if your child could benefit from equine-facilitated speech therapy?

Learn more
People petting a white horse with brown markings and a purple halter in a barn
People in an indoor riding arena gathered around a brown horse, with some touching or handling it, and others observing.
People in an indoor arena, some with children, and a horse in the foreground.