Re: Hippotherapy/riding therapy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

cnjcox@... writes:

What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of the

horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

emotional

benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The

movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain of

the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of the

horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of

this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to achieve

this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the

horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

Improving gross and fine motor skills

Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that cannot

be duplicated in a clinical setting

Improving balance and posture

Stimulating the cardiovascular system

Normalizing muscle tone

Building self-esteem and confidence

Improving social interaction skills

Increasing the ability to follow directions

Developing sequencing abilities

CReece

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

cnjcox@... writes:

What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of the

horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

emotional

benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The

movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain of

the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of the

horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of

this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to achieve

this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the

horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

Improving gross and fine motor skills

Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that cannot

be duplicated in a clinical setting

Improving balance and posture

Stimulating the cardiovascular system

Normalizing muscle tone

Building self-esteem and confidence

Improving social interaction skills

Increasing the ability to follow directions

Developing sequencing abilities

CReece

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Oddly enough, when I had United Healthcare, they would not cover speech therapy,

but they did cover hippotherapy. Go figure.

Aliza

....the test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless

members.

-Pearl S. Buck

Re: Hippotherapy/riding therapy

In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

cnjcoxjuno (DOT) com writes:

What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of the

horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

emotional

benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The

movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain of

the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of the

horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of

this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to achieve

this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the

horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

Improving gross and fine motor skills

Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that cannot

be duplicated in a clinical setting

Improving balance and posture

Stimulating the cardiovascular system

Normalizing muscle tone

Building self-esteem and confidence

Improving social interaction skills

Increasing the ability to follow directions

Developing sequencing abilities

CReece

************ ********* ********* ******** See what's free at http://www.aol.

com.

[Guest guest]

Ok other than just riding the horse what is involved with Therapy? We have

access to lots of horses through friends anytime we feel the need.

Chris

Re: Hippotherapy/riding therapy

In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

cnjcoxjuno (DOT) com writes:

What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of the

horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

emotional

benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The

movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain of

the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of the

horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of

this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to achieve

this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the

horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

Improving gross and fine motor skills

Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that cannot

be duplicated in a clinical setting

Improving balance and posture

Stimulating the cardiovascular system

Normalizing muscle tone

Building self-esteem and confidence

Improving social interaction skills

Increasing the ability to follow directions

Developing sequencing abilities

CReece

************ ********* ********* ******** See what's free at http://www.aol.

com.

[Guest guest]

My son started Hippotherapy last April (Easter week) as he was not walking,

and had problems with distance vision. He started walking just under 2

months after he started (at 18 months) and his distance vision (and daylight

vision--light is a killer for him) has greatly improved as well. He is

riding solo now at 29 months (led by the therapist) and me along side, and

even though he is not " MR " she is the equestrian head coach for Special

Olympics and will start him soon on their competition regimin. He won't

compete, but will benefit from the skills.

His therapist is his Vision teacher and has worked it out so we can afford

it, as our ins does not cover it directly (but will if the rehab center does

it, but he has known his vision teacher since he was 7 weeks old and has a

bond with her) so we pay for it ourselves

>

> Oddly enough, when I had United Healthcare, they would not cover speech

> therapy, but they did cover hippotherapy. Go figure.

>

> Aliza

>

> ...the test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless

> members.

>

> -Pearl S. Buck

>

> Re: Hippotherapy/riding therapy

>

> In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

> cnjcoxjuno (DOT) com writes:

>

> What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

>

> the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

>

> Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of

> the

> horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

> disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

> emotional

> benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years.

> The

> movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain

> of

> the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of

> the

> horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

> people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit

> of

> this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to

> achieve

> this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of

> the

> horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

> relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

> BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

> Improving gross and fine motor skills

> Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that

> cannot

> be duplicated in a clinical setting

> Improving balance and posture

> Stimulating the cardiovascular system

> Normalizing muscle tone

> Building self-esteem and confidence

> Improving social interaction skills

> Increasing the ability to follow directions

> Developing sequencing abilities

>

> CReece

>

> ************ ********* ********* ******** See what's free at

> http://www.aol. com.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the information. I will try to find this for Jaden.

[Guest guest]

Hippotherapy is basically like getting PT and OT on horseback. Yes, it is about

riding the horse, improving self esteem, forging a relationship with a horse,

having fun, etc...but so much more...it' probably one of the best sensory

integration activities (tactile, vestibular, visuomotor, olfactory, etc...) you

can ever imagine.

The PTs that do it work on improving trunk control, posture, balance, tone, etc.

all on the horse. I volunteered with Equest and the PTs plan out many exercises,

stretches, etc. They even consider the gait of the horse and how it " fits " with

the child's needs.There are lots of considerations that go into the process, and

most hippo sessions take a PT, A horse handler, and 1-2 sidewalkers who help the

rider carry out the exercises/activities decided upon by the PT.

To learn more, check out narha.org or go to equest.org

One the equest site, there are links and check out the " programs " tab which

links to info on hippotherapy.

M.A.

________________________________________

Aldridge, PhD, CCC/SLP

Clinical Faculty

Program in Communication Disorders

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

University of Texas-Dallas

________________________________

From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy on behalf of Farley

Sent: Thu 5/3/2007 7:16 AM

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: Re: Hippotherapy/riding therapy

Ok other than just riding the horse what is involved with Therapy? We have

access to lots of horses through friends anytime we feel the need.

Chris

Re: Hippotherapy/riding therapy

In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

cnjcoxjuno (DOT) com writes:

What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of the

horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

emotional

benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The

movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain of

the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of the

horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of

this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to achieve

this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the

horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

Improving gross and fine motor skills

Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that cannot

be duplicated in a clinical setting

Improving balance and posture

Stimulating the cardiovascular system

Normalizing muscle tone

Building self-esteem and confidence

Improving social interaction skills

Increasing the ability to follow directions

Developing sequencing abilities

CReece

************ ********* ********* ******** See what's free at http://www.aol

<http://www.aol/> . com.

[Guest guest]

My daughter had hippotherapy for nearly a year. While I feel that it was

worthwhile, I wouldn't give it such a glowing report. It helped her posture

somewhat, but we didn't see improvements in the many areas listed below. Do

bear in mind that my daughter is not what I would consider a great responder,

except for ABA, of course. Every child is different and resopnds differently,

so I would definitely encourage anybody to at least try this therapy.

Aliza

....the test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless

members.

-Pearl S. Buck

Re: [Texas-Autism- Advocacy] Hippotherapy/ riding therapy

In a message dated 5/2/2007 8:26:54 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

cnjcoxjuno (DOT) com writes:

What benefit are these types of therapies suppose to provide? My son loves

the water and loves horses but how do these therapies help our children?

Amazingly positive results are obtained using the spirit and movement of the

horse. Individuals with almost any mental, physical and/or emotional

disability can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and

emotional

benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The

movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and brain of

the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The pelvic movement of the

horse reproduces the proper motion of the human pelvis at the walk. For

people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of

this stimulation, horseback riding serves to " inspire " their bodies to achieve

this normal motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the

horse's body and its rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to

relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby.

BENEFITS of EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES

Improving gross and fine motor skills

Experiencing the three-dimensional movement of the horse's gait that cannot

be duplicated in a clinical setting

Improving balance and posture

Stimulating the cardiovascular system

Normalizing muscle tone

Building self-esteem and confidence

Improving social interaction skills

Increasing the ability to follow directions

Developing sequencing abilities

CReece

************ ********* ********* ******** See what's free at http://www.aol

<http://www.aol/> . com.