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Hippotherapy with robots instead of horses: How a riding simulator helps sick and disabled people

Helping patients regain mobility and independence after a serious illness through therapeutic riding: that is the goal of hippotherapy. With the help of innovative technologies and robotics, this is now possible even without horses.

August 18, 2025

The “hirob” rehabilitation robot from the Austrian company intelligent motion was developed specifically for clinical settings. The therapy device, which features a KR QUANTEC robot from KUKA, precisely mimics the movement of a horse's back when walking, thereby replicating the exact movement pattern used in hippotherapy. In addition, it is possible to adjust the intensity and speed, as well as the form of movement, for example, to allow the pelvis to tilt or circle only.

 

Alleviating symptoms, improving mobility

The patient sits on an ergonomic seat modeled on a saddle and must actively respond to the robot's movements. This training helps to stabilize the torso, mobilize the pelvis, reduce spasms, and improve balance. In addition, muscle stimulation can induce so-called neuroplasticity in the brain, which helps to relearn lost motor functions. 

This enables patients to regain mobility after strokes or traumatic brain injuries, for example, or in cases of serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Symptoms of pelvic floor weakness or incontinence can also be improved.

“By precisely replicating the movement impulses of a horse, hirob enables us to specifically promote motor learning through sensory stimulation and acti-vation of central nervous control processes. hirob thus optimally complements the therapeutic spectrum in neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation with a standardizable, evidence-based method,” said Lara Leutgeb, research associate at intelligent motion.

Robotic hippotherapy, ready to use and individually adapted

In hippotherapy, patients are usually first accustomed to the animals and then placed safely on the horse under supervision. The patients are led at walking pace, and the horse's movement has a positive effect on balance, motor skills, and movement patterns. 

Robotic hippotherapy brings these benefits directly to patients undergoing rehabilitation treatment in hospitals, rehabilitation, and physical therapy centers - thanks to innovative technology.

 

What impresses me most about hirob is its fast transfer and setup time. hirob can be adapted to the patient very quickly and accurately. We can start therapy at an early stage because the speed and range of motion can be adjusted to the patient's needs.

Dr. Andreas Mayr, Head of Therapy at Landeskrankenhaus Hochzirl

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