I love how this video compares progress after 6 months

American Hippotherapy Association Article

A Focus On Developing Hand Skills in Hippotherapy

This two year old did great following directions and repeating words. I figured out that she wouldn't repeat words unless I moved the holder out of her range, so that she had to repeat the color before I brought it closer for her to insert the pin inside. She seemed interested in naming colors, so that's what I worked on to evoke speech.  When finished she did great putting the pins inside the storage container.  

I am a hippotherapy/therapeutic riding book junkie, so am delighted to add this resource to my collection. This book is a compilation of yoga like poses with clear directions on how to assume and hold them, breath, how many times to repeat movements and what the benefits are.
I work with very young children who would probably not understand the photographs, but therapists can use this book with older children to assist in explaining the poses and make a copy to practice a special pose at home. I envision children with motor planning impairments and decreased strength using these activities to increase motor skills and body awareness.Certainly, riders seeking to reduce pain will find this book helpful and the instructor can tailor these poses according to the individual's diagnosis or goals. My back feels better, just from looking at the photos!

Vibrating ring Stack

I made this vibrating ring stack by push the motorized pen into a swimming noodle (throwing away the pen point). I knit a holder that the noodle is inside of out of trash bags but one can come up with an easier way to rig this up so that its attached to the tack. Maybe just tie something around it and attach a clip.

The kids all loved this, it really holds their attention and quite a few said "more". It tends to require using both hands, one stabilizing while the other places the ring. One girl stood on top of the horse reaching high to grasp the ring and then squatting to place it over the noodle.

Promoting Speech with Recorder

It was a beautiful sunny day, pretty warm for November in Massachusetts and sunny enough so that I needed my sun glasses. This 2 year old independently opened and closed the zipper to take my glasses out and put back in the case.

The most fun thing I did today was have a 3 year old (who has down syndrome) repeat what she did into the tape recorder which I played back for her mom later. She mostly repeated one word at a time but did string the phrase "I did it".  Her mom heard a recording of her saying  " five sit ups" and "I went up hill" and "I was kneeling". I am going to do this regularly. These phrases will become more familiar and with practice hopefully she will repeat an entire phrase rather than one word at a time.

Thanksgiving Week Hippotherapy

I am always looking for ways to promote bearing weight on hands . This little girl avoids this and often curls up her fingers to avoid touch to her palms. But she tolerated when I pushed her hands down on the sqeaky toys I sewed inside a felt bag.

It was great to hear this litle girl vocalize. I know that this doesn't exactly look like a turkey but I think it passed the sensory fun test. She used both hands together nicely and pulling the clips strengthens hands.  Quite a few kids liked using this "remove the turkey feathers toy" this week.....vibration and shiny lights usually work well......