Straight from the Horse's Mouth December 2016 | Page 6

Mary Clare

Joe

STAFF | ANNE COCHRAN, PT, HPCS

STAFF | MARIE MCINTOSH, PATH CERTIFIED
THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTOR

VOLUNTEERS | ALLYSON B., KAYLA C. &
MARITA W.
HORSE | ULTIMATE “STYLE”

HORSE | COFFEE BUCK JOHN “JOHNNY”

Mary Clare is a wonderful young lady that loves therapy
on a horse. For three years, Mary Clare arrives smiling and
jumping with anticipation—already starting to challenge
her balance before she begins treatment on her handsome
gray horse Style. It’s not unusual for Mary Clare to arrive
adorned in the color pink. Like many young girls, she loves
the color pink and it is a routine topic of conversation
during treatment sessions. Many times Mary Clare’s team,
from her therapist Anne to her leaders and sidewalkers,
dress in pink to enhance Mary Clare’s experience during
therapy. What a fabulous way to do therapy!

Soft singing and humming preludes the appearance of
a man. Sun glasses lounge across the bridge of his nose.
A black horse bats heavy eye lids and leisurely shifts his
weight to rest on the cocked hoof of his left rear leg.
Johnny is so relaxed before his work with Joe, he barely
notices the whispered humming and crunched gravel as
Joe moves across the paddock to the mounting area. The
mellow mood continues as Joe and his team start a trail
ride around the property. The sounds of the trail, steady
beats of Johnny’s hooves and Joe’s singing help prepare Joe.
This peaceful trail ride is Joe’s favorite part of his visits to
ROSL. As the warm up concludes and the team enters the
arena, Joe’s instructor Marie shares the lesson plan with
Joe: left and right directions, primary color review and
two-point position for increased leg strength. Joe’s lesson
plan incorporates skills that Joe is working on outside of
Ride On St. Louis too, so his time at the barn can support
a variety of functions and goals in his everyday life and
activity. While riding, Joe practices vocalizing the hard “g”
sound of the word “go.” Joe is improving on recognizing
his lefts and rights as well as his ability to hold reins. For
comprehension, sequencing, task completion and motor
skill development, Marie instructs Joe on using correct rein
aid to guide Johnny at a walk.

Mary Clare’s treatment consists of 60 minutes of
neuromuscular re-education including postural control and
balance activities, both static and dynamic on horseback,
and gait training on even/uneven surfaces and stairs.
Mary Clare’s goals include improved gait pattern and
independent balance that make activities with her family
and peers easier.
Mary Clare enjoys the social interaction and fun from
equine assisted physical therapy but also benefits from
improved posture, endurance and balance. When her
treatment on Style ends, navigating obstacles like steps,
ramps and multilevel stepping blocks becomes easier for
Mary Clare. Family members that have not seen Mary
Clare in a while will comment on her improved walking
balance.

5

VOLUNTEERS | NANCY R. & KATHY W.

Style’s large lateral movement challenges Mary Clare with
side-to-side displacement. Mary Clare gains strength
through her body’s response and adjustments to this
exaggerated movement. While most people may find
it strenuous to maintain balance while sitting on this
movement, Mary Clare has advanced to further test
her core strength and balance through controlling and
manipulating rings, reaching across her body and playing
catch with a large ball. Way to go Mary Clare!

When the lesson ends and the team heads back to the
paddock to dismount, Joe untacks Johnny by unbuckling
the girth and carrying the saddle back to its place in the
tack room. Before they are finished, Joe pets Johnny’s neck
and shoulder and brushes the hair under the saddle and
girth area back into place. With everything cleaned and
put away, Joe says “bye” to his team and horse for another
week.
Joe’s work at Ride On St. Louis supports tasks, activities
and interactions he experiences on a regular basis. We are
happy to see Joe progressing and are grateful he enjoys
learning with us at Ride On St. Louis!