About Us

Who Is Involved?

Magic In Motion has been serving Southwest Iowa and the Omaha area since 1999. All riding activities are organized and conducted by pediatric physical therapists and NARHA registered instructors; consult with occupational therapists or speech-language pathologists is also available. Horse leaders and sidewalkers are volunteers, many of which are physical therapy students. All volunteers are trained in horse handling and safety techniques.

What is Hippotherapy?

The term "hippotherapy" means treatment with the help of a horse. This approach allows the rider to respond to the horse's movement and various positions that are modified by a licensed therapist. This type of therapy may help to improve posture, balance, strength, communication, sensory processing and, ultimately, function. Specific riding skills are not taught.

What is Therapeutic Riding?

In therapeutic riding, the focus is on learning to control the horse. Activities/positions are used to affect a rider's sitting balance or weight shifts, to improve specific riding skills. A variety of equipment may be used, and the horse may be ridden in various gaits to help the rider achieve his/her riding goals. Other horsemanship skills may be learned as well, including grooming, stall maintenance, tack and feeding knowledge.

What are possible benefits of this Program?

• The walking gait of a horse is very similar to human gait. Gentle, rhythmical movements are provided to the rider's hips and pelvis, in a manner similar to normal gait.

• Improves posture, sensory processing, functional mobility.

• Facilitates equilibrium reactions, which may improve sitting and standing balance, as well as walking.

• Certain activities may increase coordination, strength, range of motion, symmetry and weightbearing ability.

• Provides sensory and body awareness.

• Enthusiasm for horseback riding leads to increased motivation.

• Socialization.

• Horsemanship skills.

• CONFIDENCE and ACCOMPLISHMENT!

Our riders enjoy competing in the Special Olympics!

Is this program appropriate for my child?

This program is designed for children who have developmental disabilities and cannot participate in other horseback riding programs without special assistance. It serves individuals with all types and degrees of disabilities, but may not be appropriate for every child.