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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on Jul 11, 2009 9:12:13 GMT -5
Who does hippotherapy? Do the kids like it and what benifits have you seen? I know it builds great trunk strength and you need that for verbal words, but what else do you guys know about it. I need some good things to tell hub's. He actually let Brook ride the pony at the fruit stand I want to hook her up w/ the H.O.R.S.E.S. program over by my mom's house. Hub's is on the fence and I need some things to tell him how good it is for our kids. He thinks I made up the word Hippotherapy, i'm sure P.S. If you want to see tunz of pic's of Brooks weekly therapy I posted them on her blog
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Post by kg91207 on Jul 11, 2009 17:29:18 GMT -5
It helps with balance and coordination, and increases their appetites since they are burning more calories. when I worked at Boys Ranch, they did it for emotional therapy too-for kids who had been abused and neglected. Helps with walking too for those who can't yet. My friend who is a speech therapist does some hippotherapy, but I'm not sure how you become certified/licensed to do it. I can't wait for Kaelyn to be old enough!
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Post by stefaniedwn on Jul 11, 2009 19:01:26 GMT -5
My son Christopher goes every other Monday and he loves it. It really helps with his posture and balance. He is where he can ride by his self now. I was going to post some pictures, but not sure how to post to message.
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Post by Kristin on Jul 11, 2009 19:56:45 GMT -5
Clarice has done it for over 6 years. She started with the horseback riding. She goes every week. They would play number and color games on horseback...weaving in academic skills. They had to identify letters of the alphabet posted in the arena. It helped her physically with upper body strength, leg strength, posture, and balance. It was a great confidence booster. I really like the fact that it is very structured. She must follow directions and safety rules or she can not ride. Our program also now offers vaulting on horseback, which has been wonderful, too. Vaulting on horseback is doing gymnastic moves on the back of a moving draft horse. It reminds me of circus riding. If your daughter likes being around the horse (some kids just don't like it), I think it is a great structured activity with lots of benefits! I have always felt that our program was extremely safe.
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Post by Deannalee on Jul 11, 2009 20:20:53 GMT -5
We started hippotherapy last summer when Justin was 5 1/2 yrs old. It helps with balance, coordination, sensory issues, builds core strength...etc. Justin FINALLY started walking last year during his hippotherapy. I told his horse this year to get Justin to talk!!!! HAHA.
Deanna
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Post by Chris too on Jul 11, 2009 20:34:03 GMT -5
You have one very clear benefit, Jenn, right in that picture you posted - Brook is delighted! That makes it worth it, I think
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Post by CC on Jul 11, 2009 21:44:43 GMT -5
Christopher did horse back riding for years, once a week all year long from when he was 3/4 to10/11 years old ;D He loved it. I can honestly say OMG when he first started he was like a rag doll on the horse and within weeks was sitting up straight. It works tons on balance, speech, self confidence along with self esteem... I can honestly tell you from the horse back riding therapy Chris was able to move on to skiing due to his GREAT Balance control. I have never heard of any negative to this, honestly Chris has had many types of different therapies and this one was by far the best we ever did for Chris ;D Go for it CC ~
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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on Jul 11, 2009 23:11:49 GMT -5
OK I think i'm in the market for a pony. Hub's said I could by one just for that reason Chris, Brooks smile. I'll put it in mom's field. I rode horses all my life. I'd love for Brooker to have a pony. This should be interesting, I'm going to call up Carolyn monday and look into this. Thanks girls. {{{{{{UNO}}}}}
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Post by Staci on Jul 16, 2009 9:44:35 GMT -5
Aidan did it for about a year. It helped him with independence, he had to get all of his horse gear, take care of his horse, etc. He gained strength and tightened up muscles (which is a problem for him, extremely low muscle tone). I need to check into it again for him, since he's older now I think he'd benefit more from it. We stopped it because it was too much for him, he just didn't have the endurance at the time. I think it's a great thing and never have heard anything negative from it! Good luck!!
Staci
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