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horseback riding

BLIND,DEAF, &DEAFBLIND

BLIND ADAPTATIONS

  • If the client is riding on a trail, it may be helpful for a person who can see to either ride in front of, or walk alongside of the rider who is blind. The sighted rider should give verbal feedback as to what is around. (Low hanging branches, obstacles on the trail, and sudden turns.)

  • If the client is racing, or riding on an obstacle course, a walkie-talkie with an earbud can be used. A person with sight can give instructions through the walkie-talkie to the rider who is blind.

  • If the rider is riding in an arena, and the rider has some usable vision, clearly mark the borders of the arena using whiteboards, or by painting the fence white.

  • If the client has usable vision, make sure to establish what lighting and environmental factors would maximize the use of that vision while horseback riding. Do not be afraid to ask about the client’s vision. They will be willing to answer if it makes their experience more enjoyable.

  • It may be useful for physical contact to be used for features such as hand position. If the instructor feels physical contact would be useful, make sure to ask if the client would mind physical contact.

INTELLECTUAL & NEUROLOGICAL

ADAPTATIONS

Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy

 

  • Breakaway Stirrups

 

Cerebral Palsy and Parkinsons

 

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

ADAPTATIONS

Horseback riding is a popular recreational as well as rehabilitative activity. Adaptive or therapeutic horseback riding is simply modified recreational horseback riding for individuals with disabilities. Hippotherapy is the use of horseback riding for rehabilitative purposes and should only be performed by a licensed individual. However, recreational horseback riding is still an enjoyable fitness activity for individuals with or without disabilities. These are some considerations to take when guiding an individual with Multiple Sclerosis through recreational horseback riding:

  • Core and back support may be needed when an individual is first learning to ride. There are adaptive seats that can be used to support the individual. Adaptive Equine Equipment

  • Getting up onto the horse may require a decent effort from any individual in swinging their leg over the horse. To assist the process of getting on the horse something as simple as a step stool can be used. A mounting ramp may also be used to assist an individual who uses a wheelchair in mounting the horse.

  • Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis may experience a loss of feeling in the legs or feet. Using a toe cage or safety cage attachment on the stirrups may assist in grounding the individuals feet in the stirrups.

  • An individual with Multiple Sclerosis may experience loss of balance. As riding a horse requires that they be elevated be sure to have an individual walking with the horse at all times. Breakaway stirrups could be helpful in the event of a fall.

  • Heat can be a serious trigger of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. As most horseback riding occurs outdoors, allow the individual to take breaks in the shade. Having ice, cold drinks, or a fan nearby in the event that the individual does overheat would be helpful.

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

ADAPTATIONS

Nicole Budden, Founder and Director of Happy Trails Riding Center, praises horseback riding saying, “Horseback riding is naturally therapeutic. Whether they have physical, cognitive, sensory or emotional disabilities, participants benefit from riding or working with horses.”

    There are two types of riding for individuals with disabilities: therapeutic riding and hippotherapy. The main goal of therapeutic riding is to teach individuals with disabilities to ride horseback. The main goal of hippotherapy is to use the horse as a treatment type to improve balance, coordination, head control, and fine motor skills. Hippotherapy should be performed in private sessions with skilled physical or occupational therapists.

The following are recommended horseback riding adaptations for individuals with muscular dystrophy.

  • Proper equipment should be used in order to mount the horses. There are mounting blocks or platforms of varying sizes. There are also mounting platforms with ramps for wheelchair users. For stirrups, there are breakaway stirrups so a rider isn’t dragged in case of a fall. Reins can come with loops in order for an easier grip.

  • For saddles, there are high-back saddles to support a the spine or back and shoulder muscles. There are also Australian saddles, which offer a deeper seat, providing more stability. Some saddles have honeycombed pads to avoid pressure sores. Certain saddles even have handles in order to provide for more stability. Individuals who cannot sit upright can ride the horse lying down.

  • Extreme temperatures can negatively affect individuals with muscular dystrophy. Hydration and avoiding the extreme weather (whether hot or cold) are advised.

  • Mary Vardi, a PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor for TROT, explains the type of horse she chooses for therapy riding, “I’m usually looking for a horse that has a very quiet nature — sound and not spooky….He needs to move well, meaning that he has a good walk and a good trot, and he needs to be responsive — but not too responsive.” She  usually chooses horses between the ages of 8 and 15 for the program.

  • To challenge balance control for individuals, the horse can be guided to a new direction or adjusting the position of the rider on the horse.

PHYSICAL DISBILITIES

ADAPTATIONS

Upper body amputations:

  • Use a Rein bar, which can be controlled by many different types of prehensors.

  • Externally powered hands and voluntary-closing prehensors, due to their superior grip forces, can be especially useful.

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Lower body amputations:

  • Train horse to lay down while mounting

  • Change surface to a harder surface to help with feedback on balance. This will help the rider to adjust their center of gravity because they are able to receive feedback and correct themselves.

  • Use bareback pads to allow continuous input from the horses back muscles

  • Above Knee Amputation

    • With some discomfort at the top of their residual limb, extra suspension (such as the Ottobock (AK) Suspension Belt or the Power Short or Power Belt Auxiliary Suspension Belts by Knit-Rite) may help those who wear a suction socket

  • Below Knee Amputation

    • Should rough edges of an artificial limb rub against the horse’s side or the rider experience abrasions, the fit of the artificial limb can be adjusted:

      • lowering of the artificial limb behind the knee (popliteal brim);

      • flattening the middle part of the calf on the artificial limb;

      • aligning the artificial limb so that the heel is tilted inward with the toe angled upward and outward.

      • dependable suspension – either a locking system or the addition of a suspension sleeve (many prosthetic companies have variations of below knee suspension sleeves).

    • Stirrups that can trap an artificial foot can be dangerous. Safety stirrups, which usually come with a safety latch, release the stirrup in the event of a fall.

AUTISM

 

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