HIPPOTHERAPY
The term “hippotherapy” comes from the Greek word “hippos”, meaning "horse", and translated means “treatment with the help of the horse", using the horse as a dynamic base to facilitate non-static postural control. Hippotherapy fosters improved trunk mobility and strength, which in turn affects overall limb function. The horse’s natural three-dimensional movement mimics a typical human gait creating a gentle rhythmic movement that aids in improving overall balance, strength, muscle control and tone, motor development and coordination.
Hippotherapy sessions are conducted by a licensed physical, occupational or speech and language therapist who has advanced education,and demonstrates their working knowledge of the safe and effective use of the horse’s movement as a therapy strategy integrated with neuromotor function and sensory processing.
POLLY BLUTTE, MOT, OTR/L ~ OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Polly graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology before attaining a Masters of Occupational Therapy degree from Samuel Merritt University in 2006 and moved to Woodland shortly thereafter. For more than 10 years she has enjoyed working with children and adults with varying diagnoses in an array of settings.
She is passionate about incorporating equine movement into her practice. Polly enjoys combining her love of horses with her skills as an occupational therapist. She is therefore able to assist her clients in achieving level of every day functionality in every day life activities.
She is passionate about incorporating equine movement into her practice. Polly enjoys combining her love of horses with her skills as an occupational therapist. She is therefore able to assist her clients in achieving level of every day functionality in every day life activities.
Learn more about the practice: Hippotherapy from the American Hippotherapy Association.
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TESTIMONIAL
Due to a stroke at 5 days old, Mia has been through a variety of physical therapies. She started riding at TROTR over 4 years ago when she was 3. Whether riding in a saddle or bareback, facing forward, sideways, or backwards, going on a trail ride or through an obstacle course, she was always benefiting from her experience.
I love the confidence and ownership in her relationships with the horses. She will always think of the horses as her friends, even though she may not be aware of the full range of benefits she is gaining.
MANY MANY THANKS to the volunteers that make sure Mia is safe, while she is stretching or strengthening muscles, balancing on her weaker side, and learning to trust herself as well as the adults and horses. The volunteers make sure when Mia is on a horse...she is successful!
~ Ellen (Mia's Grandma)
I love the confidence and ownership in her relationships with the horses. She will always think of the horses as her friends, even though she may not be aware of the full range of benefits she is gaining.
MANY MANY THANKS to the volunteers that make sure Mia is safe, while she is stretching or strengthening muscles, balancing on her weaker side, and learning to trust herself as well as the adults and horses. The volunteers make sure when Mia is on a horse...she is successful!
~ Ellen (Mia's Grandma)