Has anyone tried this or does anyone know someone who has used horse therapy for kids?

I signed my 4 year old up today. I was told by his occupational therapist and teacher that horse therapy is a gread way to work on motor skills and core muscles. Sean has alot of issues in that area. Apparently the core muscles are pretty weak in him and that just branches out and affects fine motor skills. He's really behind in those.......so it was recommended that horse therapy might be something he'd enjoy. They also work on language development as well. Should be interesting

I'm going to give it a shot next week. He'll go every wednesday and we'll see how things progress.

I'll keep you all updated.

My best friend's daughter does horse therapy. She is 7. She loves it, they don't go very often, but it is more due to the centers lack of resources then anything else. But T will always ask when she can go and ride the horses.

I volunteered at a horse therapy facility and can I just say that I have never seen autistic children come out of their little shells so quickly and so completely than when they are on the back of a horse!? OMG I love watching their faces light up. It's incredible.

Also, there was a small girl with something, I can't remember her specific condition - where she couldn't walk well and always lost her balance - horse therapy did wonders for her. She ended up in a cantering competition by herself in just under a year and a half.

(and completely off topic - zomg love your avatar (L))

I used to do horse therapy when I was little. I have mild Cerebral Palsy, and I LOVED it. I didn't get to go much, because of limited resources.... but it made such a difference... and it works so well for kiddos with sensory issues as well.

There is something so magical about horses. I have a Physical Therapist now that does hippo-therapy with little kids, and she is encouraging me to go through the course to be able to teach and facilitate the program. At some point, I will, and will do so with my 7 year old Colonial Mustang.

The ONLY thing I didn't like about it, was that as I got older, and could actually ride, I felt boxed in... but that's completely my experience... the programs are wonderful!

My best friend and her mom did a lot of volunteer work with a horse therapy program. Her mom gushed about it because she saw a lot of kids stay in the program for years and years and improve drastically. I don't know many details because I was never involved myself, but I have only heard wonderful things about it! Good luck!

Thanks! I hear nothing but good things and am really excited for him to start next week.

There's a program here in our town that does it...I'm gonna call to see if they have a spot for Ds, I think it's a great thing that they have programs like this available!!

Yes, a lot of the kids I work with do hippotherapy. It's supposed to not only be fun, but work on motor skills, life skills (caring for the horse) and social skills. One of the brochures I read talked about how kids can form a close bond with the horse and try to understand the horses "emotions." Pretty interesting.

OH how exciting! Can't wait to hear your kiddo's experiance

I grew up next to an EOS therpeutic riding center in Bloomsburg, PA. We knew the owner of the center and she said that she had a lot of children make incredible improvements in the motor skills. She mainly dealt with autistic and Down Syndrome children.

Being a horse person, I can tell you that hippotherapy has AMAZING results. Google chum theraputic riding in lansing mi. The lady who runs it is a friend of a friend.

Ive been wanting to do it for Kalib for years, but its so expensive around here.

I would love to try it for dd, to see if she could overcome her fear of animals. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'm assuming this is not a covered benefit under Tricare though?

Yes, I know a family that has 3 kids that do it and the mom said it has really helped them. I hope it works out for your family too.

I've heard nothing but good things about it... That and dolphine therapy (which wouldn't be as available as horse therapy...obviously..haha) But I think that would be great!!! Good luck with it!

He went on Thursday and LOVED it.

He had absolutely no fear of the horses.......he helped to brush and get the horse ready by putting the pad and the saddle on. Then they had him buckle the saddle. It was hard for him as his fine motor skills are really behind, but he tried.

They rode around, did basic drills to stop, start the horse, played games on the horse and he had just a good time....it's a really nice facility and the instructors were so laid back and it really just was relaxing for everyone. Sean didn't want to leave. I was talking to the main instructor and he was feeding pigs when we left.....it was cute.

They do a keiki rodeo annually and when the kids are older they get to ride in it.

I'm excited for him!

That's wonderful that he enjoyed it so much! It sounds great!

I'm so glad he had fun! I need to find one around here. My son loves horses.