Reflection on Horse Sense

I only knew a little bit about Horse Sense from my other TR classes from previous semesters.  I never realized how many different ways it can help people with disabilities.  For example I thought that using riding as rehabilitation was more geared toward the psychological aspect of helping people, not so much the help of physical rehabilitation.  The story that was shared about the girl who had scoliosis, but after riding for a while the scoliosis went away was really surprising to me. I guess I didn't realize how much riding the horse could improve the curvature of the spine.  I also found it really interesting that Horse Sense is able to operate based on the fact that it is a non-profit organization.  I would imagine that horses are NOT cheap! And to find a horse that is mellow enough but still wants to be active cannot be easy.  Plus being open for only part of the year limits the amount of income that they are able to take in.  It truly amazes me that they are able to maintain their program through the donations, it just shows how many generous people there are out there.  Getting back to the rehabilitation with the horses, I was also unaware of the different activities that one can do while riding to improve muscle tone and posture such as reaching for the ball or putting the ball or object in the basket.  Trying to plan programs for all the different populations that use Horse Sense must also be a really big challenge, especially with different age groups and cognitive abilities.  Making sure that everyone is capable, enjoying themselves, and getting the help they need must take a lot of creative thinking on the teachers' part.  

One of the lived experiences that I found on the Internet pertaining to equine therapy was from a facility called Cooper Canyon Academy. A young woman named Susan went to the facility when she was a teenager to work on her anger issues.  She describes the experience as being extremely beneficial as opposed to regular therapy. The people at CCA had this to say about horse therapy.
   "horses serve as co-therapists, providing unconditional positive regard, setting firm boundaries, testing student's boundaries and providing students with an opportunity to learn to empathize, nurture, and care for others. Animals don't lie, manipulate, or cheat. They are direct in their communication and they respond to direct and clear communication from others. As students work with the animals, they begin to realize that lying, manipulating and cheating don't work; they begin to form bonds and to expand their horizons beyond themselves."

I found this on http://www.equine-therapy-programs.com/help-for-troubled-girl.html but it was taken from the Cooper Canyon AcademyWebsite. 

I found this statement to be so true!! With animals there is no judgement.  They accept you as you are which allows one to be completely emotionally vulnerable.  As people we are psychologically messy and confusing whereas with animals what you see is what you get.  If you show compassion and respect for an animal you will in turn receive the same behavior.  It is this type of environment that really allows someone to resolve their issues on their own.

The second story I found was about a boy Rowan Isaacson who has autism. In an interview his father discusses how before working with horses  Rowan would not talk, was incontinent, and had tantrums but after working with horses all of this issues to seemed to resolve themselves.  Rupert Isaacson, the father, claims that Betsy the horse lowered her head when she first met Rowan which is a very rare thing for a horse to do upon their first encounter with a person.  He says they made an instant connection right away.  He also claims that research has found that the rhythmic movement of the horse "opens up the learning centers in the brain"  and that it also releases the "feel good hormone, oxytocin".  Rupert describes autism as the over stimulation of the brain and that being surrounded by nature and calming animals allows for the those stimuli to be repressed. I found this really unique! So check it out! :)  http://www.horseboymethod.com/videos/viewvideo/10/horse-boy-method/autism-therapy-on-horseback-the-horse-boy-cnn-dr-sanjay-gupta-talks-with-rupert-isaacson.html

Adaptive Golf

I thought this was a really good example of how the adaptive golf carts work and how well they work.

Adaptive Skiing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZexm6XGcmE

Reflection on Hand Painting 10/7/10

The hand painting activity was definitely one of the more unique activities that I've seen related to TR and I have to say its pretty brilliant.  This activity would be perfect for kids since it is fun, probably something they have never done before, and it can really allow them to express themselves.  Kids who are experiencing depression, kids with some forms of cognitive disabilities, and kids with most physical disabilities would be able to participate in this activity because it is not a strenuous physical activity, they are able to socialize during it, and there is very little risk associated with this activity.  Teens, young adults, and possibly middle aged adults could also participate.  For people with depression this could provide an opportunity to discuss how even the simple things in life can be turned into something uplifting and positive.  It could also be used for people with addictions so they can focus their energies on something else rather than their cravings.  The only population that I wouldn't see this being a hit with is the elderly.  The delicate skin of the elderly causes several limitations when it comes to incorporating one's own body when it comes to recreational activities.  Some things to consider with this activity would be making sure that the paint purchased is washable, when working with youth and risk to make sure that no one uses the paint in an inappropriate way, and depending on the age group or cognitive ability to make sure that no one consumes the paint.

Reflection on Packaging Tape Sculptures 9/30/10

First of all I was shocked that the artist featured in the video was able to cover his head in packaging tape and cut the tape off without hurting himself!  I wonder what gave him the idea to do this type of art in the first place.  With that being said I thought all of his pieces were amazing.  They looked so close to the original object.  Using this activity in terms of potential populations in TR I believe would be a bit of a challenge though.  I think that for some populations such as teens and young adults it would be excellent because it allows for creativity and self expression.  However with an older population such as middle aged or the elderly this activity may cause too many health problems.  Older adults may not be able to hold positions for long periods of time and the tight wrapping of the tape on an elderly person's skin would decrease circulation and probably result in skin tares.  I also enjoyed each groups adaptation of how they would gear their sculptures towards their population. They were all extremely creative.