Hi, its been quite a few years since I have posted here. I used to be a regular until I had to go back to work. My trio are now 8 yo and I seem to have a little more time (ha! ha!) to get on the computer and post. Anyways, has anybody here done horseback therapy for their child with CP. I have done quite a bit of reading on this and it sounds very interesting as well as fun. My son has a mild degree of CP that affects his legs and balance. He has had three major surgeries in the past year -- A bilateral hip osteotomy, bilateral tibia osteotomy and just last month removal of plates and skrews from the bilateral hip osteotomy -- also he has had had several course of Botox in his hamstrings, abductors and adductors. I love Botox The things that I have read about horseback therapy is that it helps stretch the leg muscle and heels as well as helps with their core balance to help maintain their balance while doing other activities. I would love to hear if anybody out there has done this.

Margie
Mom to: Christopher 12 yo and b/g/g Andrew, Megan and Kathryn 8yo

My son has mild spastic diplegic CP. He uses a walker to walk. He has been doing horsebackriding (hippo) therapy for 8 months now. HE LOVES IT! We have seen his core stregthen alot. He used to have to sit in a "special chair" in school to help him keep him balance. Now, he can sit in a regular chair like all of the other kids. He can even sit at a picnic bench to eat his lunch (without his feet touching the ground.) And, if you have a child with balance issues you know that is a big deal to be able to do. My only complaint is it is expensive. I live in South Florida and the stable I go to (which is the only one I found with an opening) charges $50 for 1/2 hour and an additonal $600 a year for stable fees. My insurance only covers 20 visits a year. We do it, but we def feel it in our pockets.

Melissa
Mom to
Dominick
Sophia
Gianna
5 years old in July

I'm glad to hear that it helped your son. My son also has mild CP although he now doesn't need a walker. I'm pretty lucky because I live in rural Pennsylvania and although there are alot of horses around, I only found one place that does the hippo therapy. Also, the fee is $45/hour. I think we will try and do it at least once or twice a month during the summer. We won't be able to do it in the winter because of the weather factor and because lessons are all outside (no inside stable.

Thanks,

Margie....Mom to: Christopher 12 and Andrew, Megan & Kathryn 8yo

Thats so funny cause (living in south florida) we have to stop over the summer. Its like 200 deg. so we usually switch to clinic from july to sept. I guess every state has there own issues ;0)

hi margie
i used to volunteer with riding for disabled persons and talking with the mums who had children with cp who had been coming for a couple/several years, they said the difference was amazing.

as a rider, the difference in the horses in how they treat me, and how they treat the children with cp is astounding, heart wrenching and amazing. where i would get a bite if i approached the horse the same way many of these kids do, the horses sense something different, and they accept it and don't get tetchy. it was amazing to witness.

i am so sorry it is expensive. does your son like riding?


tess
mummy to 6yr old ds & the triumverate born 2004

"the days are slow but the years fly by quickly"