Arundel Park is now offering Hippotherapy. The term hippotherapy refers to ‘treatment with the help of a horse’ and is taken from the Greek word ‘hippos’ – meaning horse. Hippotherapy utilises the horse’s rhythmical, multi-dimensional movement as a therapeutic tool in accordance with the individual needs and goals of the client. It does not teach specific riding skills, but rather provides a foundation of improved neuromotor function and sensory processing that can be generalised to a wide variety of activities outside of treatment. The treatment is also fun and enjoyable, meaning that the client is usually highly motivated and enthusiastic, working hard in therapy without realising it!
Therapy sessions are 30 minutes in duration and are intensive whilst being fun and engaging. The client’s position on the horse and individualised changes to the horse’s movement promotes specific responses to sensory input. In this way, our therapist is able to target specific muscle groups and sensory receptors, during therapy, to facilitate goal achievement.
What is involved in a session?
These sessions require a highly trained team; including an Allied Health Professional (Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist) with specific training in hippotherpy, a hippotherapy horse handler, a specifically trained horse and highly skilled volunteers. This combination enables a highly specified and individualised program, targeting the individual needs of the client.
Why this type of therapy?
Hippotherapy has been found to have benefits for a range of clients; including those with Cerebral Palsy (CP), Autism, Down syndrome, Chromosomal disorders, brain injury, and developmental delays.
The multi-dimensional nature of the horse’s movement has similar mechanisms to the movement of the human pelvis while walking (McGee & Reese, 2009). Use of this sensory input during therapy can have a profound benefit for muscle recruitment and activation. Research studies have found improvements in postural stability and balance; as well as strength, co-ordination and range of movement (Zadnikar & Kastrin, 2011). Preliminary studies also report improvements in communication, social participation, coping and self-care skills (Ajzenman et al., 2013). Additional benefits may also include improved sensory processing, cognitive skills and emotional wellbeing.
Hippotherapy is part of the INSteP program. It is targeted funding for Children from two to seventeen years of age. This program runs on a School term basis, Monday afternoons and all potential participants are required to complete the necessary forms first;
- Application for Membership (Lesson Participant) Form
- APRDA Medical Consent Form (Section C of this form is to be completed by the riders regular GP)
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A weight limit of 75kg applies to all our riders at APRDA. If this limit excludes a potential rider we offer a Ground Skills Program that will support them in learning other horse related skills. We also have provided helmets and boots for riders to use.
Once these forms are completed and returned to our office an appointment will be made for the Rider and Parent/Carer with Occupational Therapist Hippotherapist to provide an INSteP Assessment, this will often be a written and a trial ride assessment. These one-to-one sessions are with a highly trained horse, horse handler and 2 volunteers. The team is essential for provision of a safe and effective session.
Arundel Park currently offers Occupational Therapy (Hippotherapy) sessions. The availability of these sessions is limited – currently Monday afternoons only. Please contact the office to register your interest TODAY!
References:
Ajzenman, H.F., Standeven, J.W., & Shurtleff, T.L. (2013). Effect of hippotherapy on motor control, adaptive behaviors, and participation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A pilot study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy; 67 (6): 653-663.
McGee, M.C., & Reese, N.B., (2009). Immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy; 21: 212–8.
Zadnikar, M., & Kastrin, A., (2011) Effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding on postural control or balance in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology; 53 (8): 685-691.
