Manes and Miracles at Chaffee Crossing

Equine therapy can improve motor coordination, posture, balance, muscle tone, concentration, self-esteem and self-confidence in riders with special needs. Hippotherapy uses a multi-dimensional movement, that is variable, rhythmic and repetitive and provides a dynamic base of support making it an excelling tool for motor skill acquisition. When an individual sits astride a horse, the horses walking gait imparts a movement response similar to normal human gait which has an immediate impact on balance, coordination, timing, reaching, grading of postural responses, and physiological function.equine movement has shown to help individuals with speech, language, social and cognitive-communication and swallowing difficulties by corresponding with the brain and sensory system. Incorporating the horse in the clients treatment can also increase motivation, participation, and engagement in therapy to help the client improve functional skills.