I had very little knowledge of what spina bifida was until I read the excellent article written by Dr. Jack Fletcher that appeared in May-June issue of this newsletter (SBATGC). His words opened my eyes and opened my heart. I did not realize that spina bifida presented its hosts with such a broad menu beyond the obvious.
As I continued to read the article, I became filled with excitement. You see, "Hippotherapy" can help with so many of the "selections" on the SB menu.
Hippotherapy (Hippo is Greek for horse) has been used throughout the country for a number of years in rehabilitation programs. Health care providers regularly see an improvement in muscle tone, balance coordination and range of motion in clients who participate in such a program.
The movement of the horse when he is walking stimulates the walking of a human, and thus the rider's muscles and body get to experience that movement without having to generate it. This helps beautifully with the mind-muscle connection.
Let us now venture even deeper into the healing process of the horse. Quantum physics has proven that the entire universe is comprised of nothing but energy, and that energy is in constant motion, or vibration. Each organ and part of your body also has it's own vibration. What separates you from your chair and your clothes is the rate of vibration. Each organ and part of your of your body also has it's own vibration. When a rider is on a horse, the horse (large transformers that they are) assists the rider in altering his frequency, so that they may experience a more harmonious union. The horse cannot be in a state of harmony without the rider "harmonizing" as well. It would be like a symphony orchestra with everyone playing a different tune. Cacophony would result-not harmony.
In the deepest recesses of our being resides our need for balance and harmony. The horse reaches into our very soul and helps pull theses gifts out for us. As mentioned earlier, the walking movement of the horse replicates the walking movement of our body. When was the last time that you experienced that movement without generating it? It was in the womb. As your mother walked this was the movement that you felt. The womb experience was the only time in your experience that you lived in a state of total bliss. You lacked nothing. Wanted nothing. Were never hungry, cold, or hot. You were totally supported. Totally protected. And surrounded by unlimited peace and joy. Your body and your soul experience this again when you ride quietly as a walk. Your brain waves change. Your sub-conscious momentarily relives the experiences of total perfections and bliss. And in the womb, SB is not a "problem".
Horses, being the versatile healers that they are additionally lend aid to us in the neurological department through the avenue of riding lessons. They are especially adept at getting us to pay attention, focus and follow directions. This list is a compendium of what transpires. In a lesson situation, the student is turned loose on the horse. No one is leading the horse. No one is by their side. It is them and the horse. The horse will only respond if given the current command or stimulus. An incorrect movement from the rider will produce an incorrect response.
This is so great!
In an academic situation if a student gives a wrong answer, the worst that can happen, usually, is that they may get a low grade and feel bad about that. In an academic situation as a student loses focus the worst that can happen is that he may be reprimanded (again) by his teacher, and he may get a bad grade. In an academic situation if a student has trouble learning, the worst that can happen is- you get the gist of this
In a riding lesson, the horse is the real teacher, not the helper human. The student is astride 1200 pounds of pure muscle. Twelve hundred pounds, by the way, can pretty much do whatever it wants. Fortunately, for our sake, they usually do what we want. The point is this: When astride a horse you are carried to your primal instincts. Your deepest, most profound instinct is that of survival, which requires no conscious intention on your part to be called into play.
When riding a horse, if the student should give the wrong "answer" (command), the horse will respond accordingly. This can easily make the rider feel out of control, because the horse is not doing as he intended. By the way, being on 1200 pounds that you feel you cannot control is akin to being on a runaway freight train. This will pretty well kick in the survival instinct. The rider progresses from simply wanting to get things right to, "You know, I would like to live through this experience". Big difference in motivation. I would like to add here that most lesson horses are very reliable and safe. It is the student's perception of lack of control that frightens him. The horse is a benign and loving teacher.So, if the student doesn't pay attention - the horse won't respond. If the student loses focus - the horse will stop responding. Wrong answer (trouble learning) - wrong response.
One of the beauties of this is that the student receives instant positive or negative reinforcement. Psychologists long ago determined that immediate gratification or punishment produced accelerated learning patterns. I have seen children with ADD go from failing one semester, to receiving straight "A"s the very next after using Hippotherapy. It is beautiful to watch.
There are a couple of good riding programs in the Houston area. Look for a facility that has ramps for wheelchair bound clients. For ambulatory riding programs and recommendations, you can contact Janice Terra (281) 705-8188. If calling an unknown stable, I recommend that you make sure their program will accommodate your needs.
Namaste, my friends, until next time...
