 Executive Director of Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center  Physical Therapist  Physical Therapy Clinical Instructor  Treasurer, American Hippotherapy Association  President, HRH of NJ

Therapy PT and OT Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding Therapeutic Driving Equine Facilitated Learning Cooperation

 130 clients-70 % receive therapy services/30% riding instruction  6 Therapists (PT and OT)  4 Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding Instructors  1 Therapeutic Driving Instructor  2 holding certification in EFL  2 holding certification as Equine Specialists

Equine Assisted Activities & Therapy

Recreational Program Riding, Driving, Vaulting Therapy Program Equine movement & related activities

 When we look at the definitions and goals the decision is very clear.  Definitions-who is moving whom?  Goals of the horse and human relationship

 Recreational and educational model where the goals are on the horse or ground but always directly related to equine skills and horsemanship.

 Addresses clinical impairments that lead to a specific evidence based plan of care  Movement of the horse facilitates the achievement of very specific goals meaningful to each client to change function.

 Therapy Riding  Riding Therapy

 What are the goals--- Let the goals of the client, parent or prescribing MD lead the way.  Therapy goals- ◦ Change in the neurophysiologic status of the nervous system ◦ Change in the musculoskeletal system function ◦ Overall change in the functional status for activities of daily living

 Therapeutic/Adaptive Riding: A program based on equine skill acquisition as well as social/emotional gains of a recreational activity individually or in large/small groups.

 Recreational Goals- ◦ Provide a recreational or sport activity for an individual with special needs that requires adaptation in either equipment or instruction.

 When the therapy goals of the individual have been met and they desire to continue to ride a horse to further their recreational goals  When they are ready to direct the movement of the horse and develop horsemanship skills

 When the functional status of a current recreational rider has changed and they no longer meet the precautions/contraindications of a riding program. ◦ Decline in medical status ◦ Incidence of seizures ◦ Change in skeletal configuration—progression of scoliosis

 Both types of programming at the same center-integrated model  Develop a relationship with other disciplines to support this transition  Use your state organization to locate riding instructors or therapists if you cannot find them on your own

 Provide a safe environment where individuals of all abilities can perform to their greatest potential.