The East Point Horspice open house on June 26th gave a small sample of what the therapy riding sessions look like. One of the intentions of the program is to offer an alternative form of physical activity that the horses’ movements provide. When sitting upon the horse’s back, the rhythmic gait of the walk simulates that of a human, even to a person who has distinct difficulty walking on their own. This will develop core strength in an individual that otherwise doesn’t normally stand upright and stride under their own two legs. But, for anyone who has undergone physical therapy in a clinical setting, riding at Horspice offers some unique aspects not found at the therapist’s office: fresh air, vitamin D generating sunshine, and a sense of fun and games.
Some of the actual activities during a summer session include limbo under the noodle. This entails riding your horse under a pool noodle suspended above the arena floor. As riders go under, successive trips result in the lowering of the noodle causing the riders to duck in some fashion, forward or backward, in order to not hit the noodle and therefore successfully limbo.
Horspice participants shoot hoops from horseback engaging their eye-hand skills, arm strength and challenging their balance. Recently the riders were fishing for ducks. This involves the riders using rustic looking poles with string attached and a magnet the end. They ride to the ‘fishing hole’ (small kid pools) filled with water and rubber ducks with magnets inside them. As they pull their ducks from the water, they take the catch to an empty bucket some distance away – again, more riding and movement – and when all the ducks are caught, they are released back to the pools for another round.
While there are either 2 or 3 unique games each week during the 10-week session, one of the favorites includes when they dance on the horses. This involves the riders performing their best moves in the saddle from one end of the therapy area to the area to the other while music is played through a portable sound system. The macarena is alive and well during this activity as Charlene directs the riders and demonstrates this dance sensations moves. Sing-a-long favorites might include, “Who let the dogs out?” which always results in riders barking and chanting to this irresistible tune.
Another favorite is when the squirt guns are filled with cool water on a hot evening and the riders are allowed to meander about weaving through cones, walking across a tilting bridge, or making a sneak attack on Brian (he has yet to figure out why he is such a favorite target) as they empty the guns in a wave of laughter and squeals as the water lands on their unsuspecting targets.
The proportion of the games to the horses is not lost on EPH. There is a concerted effort to make the games be an appropriate size. Examples include the xylophone which hangs on a corral panel and allows the riders to play from horseback. There is horse-sized ladder ball, always a backyard favorite, which stands 6 feet in height. There is a maze laid out with posts and rope and is large enough for the riders and their volunteers to find their way from start to finish. The finish area this year included a special prize of discovering a rescue animal (stuffed animals of many species) which the riders were allowed to take home.
Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can prove to be some of the most healing properties around; but, when included with giggles and new friends upon a horse’s back, this therapy goes way beyond merely providing a healthy body and includes the spirit. For further information, contact EPH at (308) 762-3848 or eph@bbc.net.