AMST 220 Final Project
A Horse Connection is a 501(c)(3) equine-assisted occupational therapy practice located in Zebulon, NC. Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy uses horses for client healing and rehabilitation. A Horse Connection is owned by Nancy King, MS, OTL, to help kids and young adults with autism, depression, genetic disorders, cerebral palsy, and many more. Her practice is an innovative approach to traditional occupational therapy which utilizes horse movements, rhythm, and senses in order to reach client rehabilitation goals. For more information and learn how to get involved, visit ahorseconnection.com
"In nature, they are not on the same team as humans, we bring them into our world, but that's what I love about it. They are a 1000 lb prey animal focused on survival"
- Nancy King
Volunteers
A Horse Connection relies on volunteers to help with clients and horse caretaking. During my two visits to King's practice, I talked with other volunteers some of whom were here doing occupational therapy internships, Pre-OT students, high school students interested in animal studies, and community college students who love being around horses. King is always looking for more volunteers. If interested, you can learn more here.
Things I learned:
- Grooming techniques and tools
- Horse anatomy
- Horse body language
- Horse Equipment
- Side walking and client safety while on the horse
- Occupational Therapy exercises using the horse
Ponyboy the horse
A Horse
Connection
volunteer
experience
video
Video edited using Adobe Premiere Pro
Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy
A form of occupational therapy that uses a horse to help the client's specific needs and rehabilitation needs. This can also be called Hippotherapy. Occupational therapists use the horse's movement, caretaking, and activities to help the client and their needs. This form of therapy has been proven successful for all ages. It has been popular among young kids and veterans.
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Innovative animal uses
Other uses include:
- Goat yoga
- Llama hiking
- Occupational therapy using llamas, cats, guinea pigs, and dogs
- Animal-Assisted Therapy
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https://www.coremedicalgroup.com/blog/occupational-therapy-and-animal
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Horse Utilization
Many of her clients have been consistently seeing her for years. Each session is specific and customized to the client's needs.
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Exercises used in client sessions include:
- Change positions sitting on a horse, ie: on the side, crisscross, backward, yoga on the horse. This engages and strengthens client's muscles with the adjusting to horses movements and moving in between positions
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- Riding the horse on the sensory trail. This is where they often sing songs or play games such as I-Spy. This engages them in beneficial social interactions, as it is holding conversations with people outside of their family.
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- Arena exercises such as reaching for pool rings near the ears or tail of the horse while riding.
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Animal welfare
King expressed that she only sees around 3 clients a day due to ensure that the horses had enough rest time and not overworked during sessions. A Horse Connection has two horses, but only one is used with clients, PonyBoy.
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King said she would love to have more clients but because of the limited resources here (number of volunteers, space on the farm, number of horses), she can only see a small amount.
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