Holder attached to pole

I attached a pole inside a coffee can filled with cement to stabilize it and can now use it in various activities. This video shows how I use it for a reacgubg abd insertion activity while on the horse. I cut away the bottom of a gallon water jug and slipped it onto the pole through the spout. The yellow swimming noodle covering the pole below it helps to keep it in place.  

This girl in the video is facing backwards. I can vary the challenge by placing the pole/bottle in different locations or have her face sideways reaching to the sides or behind her (great for trunk rotation). Varying the pole's height also allows the therapist to individualize the activity. I can require her to post to reach for the balls while facing forwards or even use the activity while kneeling or dropping them in the holder while standing on top of the horse.

I think that therapists may find this activity useful working with children while on a trampoline or other land based movement apparati. Present the balls to the child's right hand to place in the holder positioned left of the trampoline and then reverse to move left to right. After some success have the child jump ( I like having them count to ten or recite the alphabet so that there is an end) and then stop to do the ball placement activity again. Of course, you can do this same activity tossing balls into large boxes-working on different skills.  

Whoopee Cushion Fun

I guess I get excited when my kids do well with my activities !

Some interesting movements near the end of this video where they help the little girl perform kicks while grasping the vaulting circingle. I have never had a child face backwards while standing during the walk. Good idea.

Gret rotation

There are so many opportunities during hippotherapy to work on rotation, visual fixation and tracking, cause and effect, reaching and balance. Turning around to touch the ball and then hearing the squeak (staff squeezes and squeaks the ball) works on all of these skills..........

Tactile Ball Basketball

Tactile balls that feel good to squeeze or pull apart are fun to use during toss activities. They are often calming to squeeze helping kids to focus. Some kids may not like a particular texture but will tolerate it when using it in a basketball game. The girl in the video has a bit of gravitational insecurity so I love activities that promote reaching out of her base of support.

Bilateral pin removal activity

I came across this battery operated toy in the discount bin. It has flashing lights on the top and when you grasp the base and raise your arm - it reminds me of the statue of liberty. (Its supposed to be a July 4th  celebration novelty item). I found that the orange cone fit perfectly and I taped it in place. Next I clipped on the clothespins for the kids to remove and drop into the basket attached to the tack. some kids did this as the horse walked. One girl did this while squatting on top of the horse. Another faced backwards and had nice trunk rotation as she reached behind to drop the pins in the basket.