Hippotherapy has them riding high Children with cerebral palsy benefit from horseback riding BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer ERIC SUCAR staff Ronni Rosina, 4, of Hamilton, gives Toby a hug after a tour around Riding High Farm in Allentown during a horseback-riding therapy session. The dark sunglasses and pink boots give it away. Ronni Rosina is not your average cowgirl. The 4-year-old Hamilton resident clambered speedily out of her grandmother's car, excited about her weekly horseback-riding session at Riding High Farm in Allentown on a sunny April 25 afternoon. One couldn't help noticing a great tension around the neck and shoulders of the otherwise limber toddler, who ran happily over to greet her friends. Her grandmother, Jeannie Rosina, explained that Ronni has cerebral palsy, a symptom of which is tightness in various muscles. As part of her treatment, Ronni is undergoing hippotherapy at Riding High Farm. The farm's licensed occupational therapist, Robby Devery, described hippotherapy as part of a rehabilitation program practiced by a licensed occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech and language therapist. It uses horseback riding to work on a child's or adult's neurodevelopmental and sensory integration. Hippotherapy sessions last for 30-45 minutes. Toby gets a nice pat on the back from rider Ronni Rosina. "Some therapists use swings, walkers or treadmills, but when a patient comes here, we use horses as part of their treatment," Devery said. Ronni's grandmother said the hippotherapy has helped improve Ronni's posture and flexibility. "If you see her when she gets off the horse, she's a whole lot different," Rosina said. "Before, she is all locked up and tight." Rosina continued, "It's only a half-hour, but what you get in that half-hour is amazing." Ronni, who will need some form of treatment for the rest of her life, often has to get Botox injections in various muscle groups to alleviate tension in her muscles. The shots are painful and Ronni often cries during the procedure, according to her grandmother. Hippotherapy has given Ronni some relief. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Ronni Rosina, 4, of Hamilton, gives Toby a snack after riding at the Riding High Farm in Allentown on April 25. "Since she started riding, she has not had to get the injections," her grandmother said. In hippotherapy, the horse influences the patient, who is positioned on the horse and actively responds to the animal's movement. The therapist directs the movement of the horse, analyzes the patient's responses and adjusts the treatment accordingly. The horse's walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic, and repetitive. The resulting movement responses in the patient are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. Hippotherapy is used for people with abnormal muscle tone, impaired balance and coordination, impaired communication and sensorimotor function, poor posture and decreased mobility. Besides cerebral palsy, hippotherapy can be used in the treatment of stroke, developmental delay, Down syndrome, functional spinal curvature, learning or language disabilities, multiple sclerosis, sensory integrative dysfunction and brain injury. Cali Thier, 8, of Chesterfield, also has cerebral palsy. She has been taking hippotherapy at Riding High Farm since she was 2 years old, according to her mother, Lori Thier. Thier said the therapy not only helps build Cali's muscles, but also helps her with her social skills and self-confidence. "Self-esteem is a recent thing for her," Thier said. "She looks forward to riding." While Cali was riding Sunny with Devery's help and two other staff members assisting, Thier explained that she has watched Devery sit Cali on the horse in different ways to develop different muscle groups. Cali not only rides the horse looking forward, but she may also ride the horse backward or while lying across the horse's back on her stomach. Devery explained that certain positions on the horse help with body alignment and also stretch and elongate various muscles. After Cali's session, Devery explained that when Cali first came to the farm she was tensed up like a little ball on the horse, but that in the past two years she has made great strides and is now very flexible and can sit up on the horse. Cali will further develop her horsemanship and social skills at Riding High Farm's "Horsing Around 2007," an inclusionary camp that provides a weeklong horse camp experience for special horse enthusiasts on the 11-acre horse farm. The camp program serves riders with mild to moderate physical and cognitive challenges, who might also have difficulty with communication and social skills. The camp strives to bolster participants' self-confidence and independence, strengthen their bodies, practice appropriate social skills and have fun. Camp for children ages 6-16 takes place during the day, while camp for those ages 16 and older takes place during the evening. The farm will hold six camp sessions this year starting on June 25 and running through Aug. 17. Registration is ongoing. Both Ronni's and Cali's relatives feel their children's experiences at Riding High Farm have provided memories and interests that will last a lifetime. "It's a great investment in her future," Rosina said. "And it's therapeutic for me to be out here on the farm, too." Devery added, "The animals give them a sense of freedom, accomplishment and skill they don't necessarily get elsewhere." Associated and certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), Riding High Farm strives to maintain the highest standards of care, safety and instructional benefits for special needs riding. The nonprofit relies on donations of funding, goods and time from local residents and businesses and hosts numerous fundraisers throughout the year. The farm's next event is Family and Friends Day, June 10, noon to 4 p.m. For additional information about programs, volunteering or donations call (609) 259-3884 or visit info@ridinghighfarm.org.