Hippotherapy: Literally “horse therapy” or “treatment with the help of the horse." This is a dynamic treatment approach that uses the movement of the horse based on principles of classic Hippotherapy – neuromotor function and sensory processing. This program uses the horse as the therapy tool and is designed for individuals with disabilities to increase balance and control of movement on and off the horse. Specially trained volunteers are used as the direct link along with the therapist or instructor’s guidance to the client and the achievement of personal therapeutic goals using the movement of the horse.
If I remember right, Luke started hippotherapy in the spring 2007. Except for January and February (when it is too cold), he rides every Tuesday night. Through the years he has had several different SLP's and OT's. His main goal has always been to meet some of his sensory integration needs. They have also worked on core strength, balance, fine motor skills, following directions, colors, counting, speech, and language. And I know there are things I have forgotten.
It is when he is on his horse that he will actually talk. He will verbally tell the horse to "walk on", "go", and "trot". The movement of the horse helps his body in such a way that he is able to do the motor planning to get the words out. Trotting and trail rides are Luke's most favorite things to do.
Laying on the horse allows the whole body to feel the movement.
When Luke was smaller they had him standing on the horse while the horse was moving. He loved to do this. I always joked that it was sensory therapy and vocational training all in one.
One of the wonderful parts of Luke's hippotherapy is the wonderful people we have met - therapists, volunteers, parents and kids.
Therapeutic Horsemanship is an important part of our village.
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