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Ani
Born: 2001
Problem: CB, weak muscles
Attending since: June, 2009
Written at July, 2010
Mother Lilia: My child is 8 years old, she has CB, and her coordination is very disturbed. Constant searches for new rehabilitation methods for my daughter brought me to Centaur hippotherapy center. I was surprised to see two young guys – Borya and Hasmik there who despite all difficulties and obstacles persistently were practicing rehabilitation of the children.
My daughter liked the place at once. She found there that calm and spontaneous atmosphere which our children, especially living in the city need so much. Unlike other places here the child was not just treated but also was in touch with nature and domestic animals such as horses, goats, dogs, cats. I have to add that my daughter overcame her fear to big dogs at this center! During the few months of hippotherapy I could not help wondering how calm and obedient horses were during the sessions. Later Hasmik explained that for such a work horses with calm character are chosen and then trained especially for working with children.
At first stage my daughter learnt to hold on correctly in the saddle. It seems so simple until you climb on the horse yourself. The child learnt to adjust hip movements and at the same time feel the work of the horse’s muscles.
At the next stage she learnt exercises on keeping balance and coordination and strengthening the hips’ muscles as well as to go up and down correctly on the pace. Then she learnt managing the horse herself with bridles and legs.
Within several months of work her coordination improved greatly, bearing developed, she learnt to feel her body better. But the most important she is madly happy and looks forward to every next session. To be honest most of the rehabilitation methods for the children with physical difficulties has compulsory nature and cannot give any pleasure to the child. And the pleasure is so important for the child’s full development. That is the main reason why I chose this method: together with the training the child gets great pleasure from intercourse with nature and animals!
Hippotherapist: This little cheerful, curious and assiduous creature goes on making big steps forward. She holds on in the saddle like a true rider. If before she was walking holding by hand now she starts making few steps on her own. We started learning trotting. She has to go up and down keeping the balance with legs and catching with the rhythm and speed, something which is extremely hard for her. At the last session she finally managed it! Her happiness and pride of herself was boundless.
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