Details:
Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy devised and implemented by a licensed physical, occupational or speech therapist that uses the movement of the horse as a treatment tool. The primary focus of hippotherapy is to achieve functional goals, such as range of motion, muscle control, and sensory processing. Specific riding skills are not taughtSessions are customized to the unique needs and potential of each client. A private session is scheduled by appointment, and evaluations are required for all participants. Sessions for two participants may also be arranged. Equestrianvaulting, modified according to the physical, cognitive, or emotional limitations of persons with disabilities. Lessons are conducted by a CHA certified vaulting coach who has familiarity with the needs of both horses and persons with disabilities. The student is either on a lead line or in a lunging circle and is at no time expected to be in control of the horse. Adaptive vaulting lessons are considered “therapeutic pre-riding” and are conducted similarly to therapeutic riding lessons. Horsemanship skills are not taught at this level, and the emphasis is on balance, a centered seat, rhythmic coordination with the horse, and communication with both horse and other participants. Able-bodied siblings participate with their special needs brother or sister, generating positiive interaction for the special needs family. The program individualizes adaptive vaulting exercises to challenge the ability of each child. A CHA certified vaulting coach conducts lessons with an experienced assistant.Driving exposes at-risk and special needs adolescents and developmentally-delayed adults to the skills of harnessing a horse, donkey or mule; hitching the animal to a cart, and driving in an indoor arena or on an outdoor track. Taught by an experienced driving and NARHA-certified instructor, the driving program builds self-confidence through attention to task, problem solving, and skill mastery. Day Hab is designed as an off-site clinic for special needs adolescents and adults from outside organizations. Participants are exposed to all aspects of the care and handling of horses, from the ground up, and sessions are individualized according to need and are supervised by staff from the participating facility along with Root Farm staff and trained volunteers. RFV is an integrated handicapped / non-handicapped team, registered with the AVA (American Vaulting Association), that practices twice weekly at the farm. The team develops skills necessary for participation in community demonstrations and competition in AVA recognized events. Membership is available for individuals and families. Practices are coached by a CHA certified vaulting instructor.
Root Farm collaborates with BOCES, a NYS school that offers vocational training and alternative education, combining academics with practical, on-site training. High school juniors and seniors from Madison and Oneida county schools attend regular classes at the Farm during the academic year, learning the skills required for a vocation in the equestrian field. Youth Power:
Root Farm is planning a program, beginning in the summer of 2009, that will engage adolescents with emotional and behavioral issues in activities involving horses and farm work, including the team sport of vaulting and its relation to music and choreography. Program Components
The Root Farm sessions include both ground based and mounted activities made up of some of the following components:
Brain Gym®: a series of simple exercise patterns to enhance mind/body connection, integrate the right and left sides of the brain, and create body awareness, so that, once on the horse, movements are easier and safer.
Adaptive Vaulting: an equestrian discipline in which gymnastic exercise routines are performed, first on a stationery vaulting “horse,” (barrel) and eventually on a moving therapy horse.
Barn Time: equine-oriented, pre/post-riding desensitization activities offer opportunity for building relationships with the animals and experiencing grooming, tack care, feeding, and other horsemanship skills. The experience is a "grounding" way to start or end a session.
Equimuse: music therapy and equine-assisted therapy are combined in private therapy sessions to enhance both physical and perceptual functioning while building familiarity with a variety of instruments and compositions chosen for mounted movement routines.
Core Program Scheduling and Fees: Core Program (spring and fall) runs 10 weeks from April to June and September to November. Monday Night:
Pete Senn, Root Farm’s vaulting coach, holds adaptive vaulting lessons for two participants at 40-minute intervals. Cost of lessons with Pete, assisted by Kim and volunteers, are $25 per 30-minute lesson. Sibling pairs may sign up for lessons on Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday, and the cost per pair is $45. A doctor’s release is required to participate in this program
Tuesday Night:
Hippotherapy sessions are under the direction of our Physical Therapist, Terrie Wittman-Fox. PT. Therapeutic strategy will be individualized for each child, and one or two participants will ride at a time. Cost for a 30-minute session of hippotherapy is $45 per participant.
Wednesday Night:
Same as Monday
Thursday Night:
Root Farm Vaulters practice on Thursday nights at 4:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00.
Saturday:
Adaptive vaulting lessons for one participant are scheduled at 30 minute intervals. Cost of lessons with Pete, assisted by Kim and volunteers, will be $25 per 30-minute lesson. Sibling pairs may sign up for lessons and the cost per pair is $45 per 30-minute lesson. A doctor’s release is required to participate in this program
Day Hab sessions: $100 for up to 10 participants for one hour.
If you have questions, please call the farm at 363-6124 or email office@rootfarm.org
Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs at The Root Farm
Current programs at The Root Farm include hippotherapy, adaptive vaulting, adult day habilitation, therapeutic driving, and integrated, recreational team vaulting. The Farm also hosts the BOCES curriculum-based equine science program during the school year. “Core Program” is a ten-week session, spring and fall, of hippotherapy and adaptive vaulting, four nights a week. Private sessions of hippotherapy, driving, and adaptive vaulting are available by appointment throughout the year. Root Farm Vaulters is an inclusive handicapped / non-handicapped team that meets twice a week throughout the year.
