Equine Movement as a Treatment Tool in Speech-Language Therapy Sessions
The Creative Strategies Therapy approach uses a variety of movement-based tools and strategies to support a child’s learning. One of these tools is equine movement.
Who Benefits from Equine Movement (Hippotherapy)?
Hippotherapy refers to how a therapist uses medical-quality equine movement as part of the therapy treatment plan. The movement of the horse affects the child's system organization to create readiness for learning (allocation of attention and receptiveness to learning). The therapist uses the horse's movement to promote variations in the child's movement and increased sensory and postural organization. These system changes positively influence learning and communication abilities. Cathy’s speech-language therapy sessions also use equine movement to incorporate kinesthetic cues for speech and language, working towards generalization outside of therapy sessions.
medical-quality Equine movement is especially beneficial to suport the following areas:
Breath Support and Postural Control for Speech Production and Longer Sentences
Speech Rate, Cadence/Rhythm, and Clarity
Attention and Task Completion (for Language and Cognitive Processing)
The horse's movement positively affects other areas which impact speech and language:
Body Awareness (Proprioception) and Balance
Core Strength, Integration, and Coordination
Range of Motion
Sensory Integration and Self-Regulation Skills
Read More About the Benefits of Equine Movement for Communication Learning Here!
Cathy uses equine movement as a fun and meaningful treatment tool that supports the whole child during speech-language therapy. The horse's movement is organizing and motivating for children as they improve their communication skills.
Cathy’s expertise includes how to support the child’s sensory processing skills, core strength & integration, body awareness, and balance while targeting communication goals. Sessions with equine movement support a large age-range; please Contact Cathy with specific questions.
Creative Strategies partners with local barns:
Miracles therapeutic riding center in lafayette
Wild Song Ranch in Longmont
Contact Cathy to learn more about speech-language therapy sessions using hippotherapy or an equine-assisted environment in boulder county.
Cathy holds AHCB Certification in using equine movement as a treatment tool, and has completed the AHA Level 1 and Level 2 Hippotherapy Courses. Her background includes extensive continued education in body mechanics and using movement to support learning, many years working in different equestrian disciplines, and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor status through PATH Intl.
