My sons' school is into its summer program now, part of which consists of hippotherapy. Like I said previously, Adam seems to enjoy riding on the horse, while Toby prefers being pulled in a cart. From the American Hippotherapy Association's website:
What is Hippotherapy?
Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse; from the Greek word "hippos" which means horse. Specially trained physical, occupational and speech therapists use this medical treatment for clients who have movement dysfunction. Historically, the therapeutic benefits of the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC. The use of the horse as therapy evolved throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.
Hippotherapy uses activities on the horse that are meaningful to the client. Treatment takes place in a controlled environment where graded sensory input can elicit appropriate adaptive responses from the client. Specific riding skills are not taught (as in therapeutic riding), but rather a foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing. This foundation can then be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.
Why the Horse?
The horse's walk provides sensory input through movement which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the client are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse's gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of sensory input to the client, then use this movement in combination with other clinical treatments to achieve desired results. Clients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable learning experience in a natural setting.
Physically, hippotherapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and function. Hippotherapy may also affect psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication functions for clients of all ages. Clients who may benefit from hippotherapy can have a variety of diagnoses: examples include Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and Learning or Language Disabilities. However, hippotherapy is not for every client. Each potential client must be evaluated on an individual basis by specially trained health professionals.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Hippotherapy 101
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3 comments:
From what they describe as the objectives, it sounds like hippotherapy is an excellent way of working with kids who have sensory issues, like your boys do. I wonder why Toby prefers the cart? Maybe because it's closer to the ground.
Thanks for the information. How do you think your boys specifically will benefit from the therapy?
Some of my absolute purest moments of my childhood are of me and my horse.
Your boys' school sounds amazing and they have an awesome Dad.
Both of my kids have difficulty processing sensory input, but only when they are greatly overstimulated. Toby probably prefers the cart because it's more like riding in the car and because his first teacher pulled him around the school in a wagon. All the other kids had to walk single-file down the hall, and he got to ride in the wagon. We're not the only ones who spoil our kids!
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