HORSE THERAPY

Eating breakfast before a hard day of work with my new horse.

At the Buckaroo Barn being evaluated by Ms Krystie before I saddle up.

This helps her determine which horse I should ride. Each horse has a different gait that helps different muscles in the body. Horse therapy (hippotherapy) can improve muscle function and balance in all sorts of medical conditions, including spina bifida, which is what I was born with.

And here is Traveler, my new buddy and therapist.

I got scared so Ms Krystie let me play with her cell phone and that made it all better.

A horse's gait is the only thing that actually mimics the gait of a human being. So this forces me to use the same muscles and improve my balance as if I were walking.

Okay, now I'm really having fun.




We played a few little games that helped me use some new muscles I have never used before. Here I am taking a plastic ring and trying to put it on a pole while Traveler is walking. I have to lean over to reach the pole but still hold myself up.

And now Ms Krystie puts me on Traveler backwards so I can work even more new muscles.

Daddy helps by throwing a colorful ball to me and I have to lean over to catch it but not fall off Traveler while I'm doing it.

By the time my therapy session was over, I was totally in love with Traveler.

I think I'll give him some sugar.

And he thinks he'll give me some sugar back:0)

Thank you, Jesus, for a successful day!