Horse Partnership
Our licensed therapists partner with the horse because their movement creates a multi-sensory experience that can be purposefully manipulated by the horse handler under the direction of the therapist to challenge the client to produce functional change. The three-dimensional movement imparted to the client creates a pattern similar to normal walking, which cannot be duplicated in a traditional clinic setting. Clients learn to react and respond to the movement of the horse, leading to improvements in balance, strength, coordination, and postural control. Therapists can adjust the movement of the horse to provide specific input to the neuromotor and sensorimotor systems. With these systems regulated, clients are able to interact optimally with their environment showing improvements in attention, sensory regulation, communication, muscle engagement, and postural control. The dynamic movement of the horse combined with the dynamic environment can help promote functional change, resulting in increased independence in mobility, activities of daily living, and increased participation in family, school, and community life.
Progress & Goals
Saddle Up!’s Therapy Services goals are individualized to the specific needs of each client. These goals are aimed at creating functional change with independence in mobility, activities of daily living, and increased participation in family, school, and community life. This program does not address horsemanship skills as in our Adaptive Riding program. Progress notes are completed following each appointment to assess functional change towards goals and guide further plan of care.
Eligibility
Participants must be between the age of 2 and 19 years old and have a documented disability. Participants must be eligible for Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy services and receive a prescription from their Primary Care Physician prior to participation.
Cost
Saddle Up!’s Therapy Services appointments cost $30 per unit (15 minutes). Most appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes, therefore, would cost $90. If the client does not have a current therapy evaluation for the therapy they are participating in, there will be a one-time assessment fee of $150. One-hour appointments for $120 and 30 minute appointments for $60 are available if deemed appropriate by the therapist.
