Comment: Therapeutic Riding

Posted Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 22:13 by Anonymous

Therapeutic riding stables can be found by searching this site:  http://www.narha.org/

Therapeutic riding is a recreational, educational or sport activities that is taught by a certified therapeutic horseback riding instructor. Hippotherapy is a skilled treatment by a PT, OT or SLP using the movement of the horse.
The term equine therapy is not recognized by NARHA or AHA in the United States.  
See the www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org for more information. Links for evidence based practice are available under \"Research\".

Many therapists have found that children are better able to process sensory information and form social connections after treatment.

Therapeutic riding can be a fabulous multisensorial experience. For further information check out the Web site of Connections Therapeutic Riding Center in Colorado: http://www.connectionstrc.org/.

Children with autism many times respond very positively to music and horse therapies. Point being, "Music & Horse Therapies" can overlap sometimes for added reinforcment.

Familiar songs can be played in both horse and music therapies. Also, it has been noted that music has a calming effect sometimes for children with autism in horse therapy sessions. After working with a young man with autism, I realized the concept of "THE BEAT"(Heart, Hoof & Drum) which is in part about how important movement and music is to children with autism.

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      Just have to note that before horse therapy lessons, one young man with autism always goes on the swings next to the stables efore his therapeutic horse lessons.    Also, at his home,  he enjoys using the treadmill while listening to music and I am trying to get him to use the jogging trampoline, also. “Movement & Music” means so much to most people with autism.  Lastly, “THE BEAT” is not limited to disABILITIES, but also includes the full spectrum of how MUSIC connects with”People & Horses”.

    

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