Happenings at Hearts & Hooves 
Hearts & Hooves is growing, not just with the number or riders, horses or staff, but also with the number of programs that are offered.  Often a casual observer has difficulty discerning the difference.  Below is a brief description of various services that are offered at Hearts & Hooves:

Why the Horse?

The horse's walk provides sensory input through movement which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the client are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse's gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of sensory input to the client, then use this movement in combination with other clinical treatments to achieve desired results. Clients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable learning experience in a natural setting.

Physically, hippotherapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and function. Hippotherapy may also affect psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication functions for clients of all ages. Clients who may benefit from hippotherapy can have a variety of diagnoses: examples include Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and Learning or Language Disabilities. However, hippotherapy is not for every client. Each potential client must be evaluated on an individual basis by specially trained health professionals.

Therapeutic Riding – uses equine oriented activities to provide opportunities for motivational, educational and/or recreational benefits to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.  Participants are involved in physical, social, sensory and cognitive activities while learning how to ride a horse.  This term was originally an all encompassing term but has evolved to refer to activities conducted by a certified riding instructor as opposed to those by licensed therapists.

Hippotherapy (HPOT) – promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in scripted physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions for people living with disabilities.  To practice HPOT at Hearts & Hooves, a therapist must be licensed in his/her discipline and complete specialized hippotherapy training per NARHA guidelines (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association).

Cowboy Ethics Program – Programs specifically targeting youth who are at risk for succeeding as an adult in society due to various reasons (single parent, low income, incarcerated family members, etc.).  Lessons include academic standards, developmental assets and life skills as taught in the education system, but in a more experiential and recreational setting.  Activities revolve around the horse but are not always mounted lessons.

Ground Lesson – equine assisted activities that are not mounted.  These lessons may include learning nutrition, how to wash a horse, taking vital signs, learning parts of the horse or tack, colors and breeds of the horse, etc.  Ground lessons are used when mounted lessons cannot occur due to inclement weather.  Hearts & Hooves is excited to announce its first session curriculum based entirely on ground lessons for those individuals who wish to experience the horse but for medical, weight or other reasons cannot ride.