Small Towns, Wisconsin Southwest Region Winter 2014 | Page 16

Why do we want to teach children with special needs? There are plenty of reasons. As a long-time teacher of horsemanship, I see the need for children to break free from sitting behind their screens and embrace the fresh air. I have seen the healing nature of horses. Jen Krull, owner and occupational therapist of Children’s Therapy Network in Madison explains, “Horseback riding can create new neuro-pathways in the brain because the child has to adapt to the movement of the horse.” I have seen children with autism go from being distracted and irritable to mellow and focused with just a walk around the arena. Gretchen Crabb, another occupational therapist at Children’s Therapy Network, says “Children make notable strides in motor, social-emotional, and sensory motor development during hippotherapy [physical therapy using horses]. Children with motor development greatly benefit from the fluidity a horse trot can provide as it activates postural control and vestibular [balance] systems.” For me the most rewarding part of Waelti Horse farm is watching the next generation learn to love horses. For more information check out: www.waeltihorsefarm.com www.facebook.com/WaeltiHorseFarm p.16 Small Towns, Wisconsin | 2014 Southwest Region Winter Edition | www.smalltownswisconsin.com | e. [email protected]