Healing through horses
Muriel Brand School introduced hippotherapy at the beginning of the year.
Muriel Brand School’s specially trained therapists (occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists who work in consultation with a psychologist) use hippotherapy as a form of therapy treatment for their learners to improve co-ordination, balance and strength.
Hippos is the Greek word for horse and hippotherapy means the therapeutic use of horses.
Muriel Brand School introduced hippotherapy at the beginning of the year because it is an evidence-based practice with clinical reasoning.
It is not, however, a stand-alone therapy.
“By purposefully manipulating the movements of a horse, we can engage the sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes,” explained Shayn Loock, a speech therapist at the school.
A horse walks with a gait that’s very similar to a human’s gait – variable, rhythmic and repetitive.
A child who has never walked or who has an abnormal gait can sit on a horse and experience what “normal” feels like.
Muriel Brand School therapists are always in control of the horse’s movement, choosing activities that will help achieve specific outcomes.
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It’s here that West Pack Lifestyle got involved to donate various items from its partner Crazy Crafts in order to complement the school’s hippotherapy treatment.
Among them included kinetic sand and inflatable tables, but other examples of items used could be bubbles, magnetic letters, playdough, flashcards and reward stickers.
Shayn is excited to work with the inflatable trays from West Pack Lifestyle because it offers a whole new dynamic she has never used before.
“The child will be placed on top of the horse’s back, facing towards its rear.”
Beneficial sensory stimulations that can be experienced from being on a horse:
• The muscles and joints receive deep pressure stimulation from bouncing and holding positions (like kneeling or standing on the horse).
• The brain receives stimulation (to sense movement and balance) as the horse moves (in circles, up and down hills) and changes speeds.
“The programme has become very popular with the learners and has been incredibly beneficial to all who participate,” added Shayn.
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