19 GOING FOR A RIDE
Many children, with a variety of conditions, such as Cerebral Palsy, have physical and coordination difficulties that require occupational therapy. The therapy often involves working with toys, feeding utensils, and other devices to improve a child’s skills in various areas. However, there are some therapy practices that take a bit more unusual, albeit evidence-based, approach. One such organization is Riding with HEART (Hunterdon Equine Assisted Recreation and Therapy), located in Pittstown NJ. Riding with HEART offers people with disabilities the following programs and services: ■ Adaptive Therapeutic Horseback Riding: This recreational activity helps participants develop and improve their core strength, gross and fine motor skills, balance, problem solving and social skills, sensory integration, and eye/hand coordination. Riders have a variety of conditions, including Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Spina Bifida. ■ Hippotherapy: The American Hippotherapy Association defines the term as a reference to “how occupational therapy, physical therapy or speech and language professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. In conjunction with the affordances of the equine environment and other treatment strategies, hippotherapy is part of a patient’s integrated plan of care.” ■ Social Skills Group: “A specialized program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, related developmental disorders, ADD, ADHD, and barn as well as working and riding horses is planned to teach, reinforce and generalize social skills. Participants are introduced to a weekly-targeted social skill through the use of picture stories, didactic instruction, modeling or role-playing. Working in the barn, reciprocal interactions (sharing, personal space, cooperation, and communication) are taught using a Naturalistic teaching method while students work cooperatively. Students are also taught basic riding skills as part of the program.” ■ Peer Lessons: “An inclusive riding program that offers riding lessons to parents, siblings, and volunteers in our Peer Lesson program. While Riding with HEART’s focus is on Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, Peer Lessons enhance the equine experience for all. What better way to improve the quality of life than to afford everyone the chance to share their love of horseback riding?” learning disabilities. The unique setting of the “Riding with HEART offers a wide range of Equine- Assisted Activities to individuals and their families. We provide a comprehensive, inclusive and therapeutic environment to participants with a wide range of disabilities including, but not limited to ADD/ADHD, Autism, PDD NOS, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Visual Impairments or Traumatic Brain Injury. All of the Therapeutic Riding Instructors at RWH are PATH certified and our professional therapists hold proper credentials and / or licenses.” M Publisher’s Note: Riding with Heart is located at 639 County Road 513, Pittstown, NJ 08867. They can be reached at 908-735-5912 and/or seen online at www.ridingwithheart.org Happy Trails to you! 20
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