Sensory integration activities can be incorporated into any Therapeutic Riding session - to add opportunities to help people with sensory integration difficulties, and to have some extra fun, too.
Sensory integration difficulties can have a big impact on people's lives, whether the issue is sensory seeking behaviour, under/over responsive behaviour to sensory stimulation, sensory discrimination difficulties or sensory motor difficulties.
The horse himself offers a wide range of stimuli which, in a therapeutic setting, can help the human brain to overcome these difficulties - the horse is soft in places, and hard, rubbery, furry, warm in other places. There are smells and noises, and of course, there is the horse's gait, which is a powerful stimulus in itself.
But the Therapeutic Riding coach can add to these sensations by introducing other materials in games and activities - such as feathers, ribbons, beads, bean bags...the list is endless.
For any of ye dealing with sensory integration difficulties, here is an interesting website with activities anyone can do at home...or of course in a Therapeutic Riding session:
http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/sensory-integration-activities.html
Sensory integration difficulties can have a big impact on people's lives, whether the issue is sensory seeking behaviour, under/over responsive behaviour to sensory stimulation, sensory discrimination difficulties or sensory motor difficulties.
The horse himself offers a wide range of stimuli which, in a therapeutic setting, can help the human brain to overcome these difficulties - the horse is soft in places, and hard, rubbery, furry, warm in other places. There are smells and noises, and of course, there is the horse's gait, which is a powerful stimulus in itself.
But the Therapeutic Riding coach can add to these sensations by introducing other materials in games and activities - such as feathers, ribbons, beads, bean bags...the list is endless.
For any of ye dealing with sensory integration difficulties, here is an interesting website with activities anyone can do at home...or of course in a Therapeutic Riding session:
http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/sensory-integration-activities.html