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