Pediatric Hippotherapy for Dyspraxia
in Pea Ridge, AR
If your child has difficulty with coordinated movement, they may face challenges with school play, and even handling daily activities. At Unbridled Pediatric Therapies, we combine traditional occupational therapy with therapeutic horse-riding (hippotherapy) to help kids build their physical movement skills for more independence and confidence in all areas of life.
What Is Dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a condition that affects development of fine and gross motor skills. This means it impacts a child’s ability to plan and carry out coordinated movements, which can lead to delays in reaching physical milestones.
Common Symptoms of Dyspraxia
The most common symptoms of dyspraxia include:
- Clumsiness or awkward movements
- Difficulty with balance
- Struggles with daily tasks like getting dressed or brushing teeth
- Trouble walking up and down the stairs
- Challenges with using scissors, writing, or coloring
- Difficulty learning to use utensils to eat
How Pediatric Occupational Therapy Combined with Hippotherapy Can Treat Dyspraxia
Pediatric occupational therapy by itself is a great treatment that helps children with dyspraxia build their physical skills. But when you combine it with hippotherapy, the benefits exceed what can be achieved with only clinic-based treatment.
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider equine-assisted occupational therapy for your child:
1. It improves balance and posture
The rhythmic motion of the horse provides strong vestibular (balance-related) input that helps children with dyspraxia develop better awareness of their body in space and strengthen their ability to manage balance, posture, and movement.
2. It increases body awareness
The movement of the horse encourages children to develop better proprioceptive awareness (how their body is positioned in space). By constantly adjusting their body to stay balanced and engaged with the horse, children improve their ability to perceive and control their movements.
3. It supports fine and gross motor skill development
Riding a horse naturally encourages the child to engage large muscle groups and develop strong gross motor abilities. Holding the reins, adjusting posture, or performing activities related to horse care (such as brushing the horse) can also support the development of fine motor skills.
4. It’s fun!
Successfully riding a horse and participating in a structured activity can build a child’s self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. This positive reinforcement encourages them to keep trying and helps them feel capable of tackling other challenges outside of therapy. Plus, getting to be around horses is simply a ton of fun!
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation Today
Want to find out how pediatric hippotherapy can support your child’s physical development? Take advantage of our free 15-minute phone consultation! During this consultation, you’ll speak with a member of the Unbridled Pediatric Therapy team who can answer your questions and explain how your child can benefit from equine-assisted occupational therapy.
Give us a call at (479) 250-9838 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today!
