I was curious if anyone is using hippotherapy (horseback riding) or aquatherapy with their ds child?? Does it work well?? Any information would be appreciated!!

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Tracie
Wife to Kevin
Momma to Anna (3) and Mia (DS)(1 year)

We're just looking into Callum doing theraputic riding on donkeys. We're going to take a look on Saturday and hopefully they'll have a weekly spot for him. From what I've read it seems to help in lots of areas.

We haven't done aquatherapy as such but Callum was having one on one swimming lessons from the age of 14 months 'till we moved at Thanksgiving. He loved it and it definitely helped both his confidence and his gross motor skills.

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Naomi
Mum to Callum (DS) 3/03 and Kieran 8/04
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my daughter has been riding for the last 4 years now. since she was about 2.5 years old. It has been awesome for her physically (bareback riding makes it tough on them) and also has built her confidence a ton. Ashley doesn't like to perform in front of her peers and while their are other children nearby when she is riding, it still is a solo activity and she has gotten to the point that she thinks she is #1 on that horse and really just owns the world.



back to the physical aspect, when she first started we had to work hard to keep her on and she was wore out in about 15 minutes. These days she is riding solo bareback around the paddock with reins and will ride for 30-45 min and still want more. the reining is the toughest part for her now since she has to hold her arms up and pull back on just one side at a time.

It's been great and I am hoping to find someplace in San Antonio that insurance will cover when I finally get moved. If not, I'll be coming out of pocket for it because she absolutely loves it.

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Ken and Jen P.
Ashley Elise 28 June 2000
Gnaeus Alexander 18 June 2004
Thaddeus Abraham 09 May 2006

my son did both for years.

the results are twofold. therapy-wise, it helps with his balance and upper body strength. secondly, it showed him a love for animals and water. he probably would never get to ride as often had it not been for hippotherapy.

but, he soon got bored with both, actually, the aspect of 'working' instead of just having fun. we really did get burned out and have decided to drop out for a while.

but, we still take him swimming (for fun) and he's actually diving into the deep end and passed the first lesson at the local aquatic center.

i say go for it, if it won't stress you out too much, even if it's just for the experience. i'm all for trying anything at least once!

Thank you so much for your advice!!

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Tracie
Wife to Kevin
Momma to Anna (3) and Mia (DS)(1 year)