Mashu Therapy

The rhythmic and multidimensional movements of the horse stimulate the child’s proprioceptive system, enhancing body awareness and spatial orientation.

As the child responds to the horse’s motions, their core muscles are engaged, promoting postural control and stability.

This dynamic interaction supports the development of sensory integration, helping children improve coordination, balance, and a more accurate perception of their body in space.

The rhythmic and repetitive movements of the horse stimulate sensory and motor systems, promoting enhanced focus and concentration.

And the unique bond formed between the child and the horse fosters emotional connections, positively impacting cognitive functions and attention regulation.

Through this dynamic therapy, children may experience improvements in attention span, concentration, and overall cognitive abilities.

Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

Bonding with Horses:

Establishing a connection with horses can be therapeutic for children. Horses are known for their gentle nature, providing a non-judgmental and calming presence.

Interacting with horses encourages non-verbal communication, helping children develop empathy and sensitivity.

Sitting on a horse in various orientations offers children diverse sensory stimuli crucial for their development.

These positions stimulate the vestibular system, promote spatial awareness, enhance proprioception, provide different tactile sensations, offer varied visual perspectives, and aid in the integration of sensory information.

This multi-dimensional sensory input supports children in refining their balance, coordination, body awareness, and sensory processing abilities.

Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

Physiotherapy in horse therapy for children offers holistic benefits:

- Physical Development: Enhances motor skills, strength, and coordination through the dynamic movement of the horse.
- ⁠Sensory Stimulation: Provides sensory input, aiding sensory integration for children with processing challenges.
- ⁠Postural Control: Improves core strength and postural control crucial for daily activities.

Hippotherapy offers children valuable proprioceptive stimulation through horse movement, fostering enhanced body awareness, balance, and coordination.

This unique therapy method aids in developing core strength, improving postural control, and promoting sensory integration.

By engaging in hippotherapy, children benefit from enhanced motor planning, increased muscle tone, and improved stability, ultimately leading to heightened attention, emotional regulation, and confidence, thereby supporting their overall physical and cognitive development.

Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

Horse therapy offers sensory benefits for individuals with autism, including:

🐎Tactile Stimulation: Touching and feeling the horse’s coat promotes sensory awareness and texture recognition.

🐎Proprioceptive Input: Horseback riding provides deep pressure and improves body awareness, balance, and coordination.

🐎Vestibular Stimulation: The horse’s rhythmic motion helps regulate the vestibular system, enhancing sensory processing and balance.

🐎Auditory Stimulation: Interacting with horses exposes individuals to different sounds, improving auditory processing skills.

🐎Olfactory Stimulation: The distinct smell of horses and the stable environment engage the sense of smell, promoting olfactory awareness and exploration.

Overall, horse therapy aids sensory integration, regulation, and a sense of calm in autistic individuals.

Hippotherapy, utilizing horseback riding as a therapeutic intervention, indirectly promotes children's speech skills through various means.

The physical aspect of riding a horse aids in strengthening core muscles and improving posture, subsequently enhancing breath control essential for speech production.

Additionally, the sensory stimulation from the horse's movement positively influences sensory processing, potentially impacting attention and focus, indirectly benefiting communication abilities.

Moreover, the confidence gained by interacting with and controlling the horse can empower children, encouraging more active participation in verbal communication.

Overall, hippotherapy fosters a conducive environment for enhancing speech skills in children through physical, sensory, emotional, and social avenues.

May the Festival of Lights fill your home with warmth, your heart with joy, and your life with love.

Happy Deepavali!

Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

Equine-assisted therapy, commonly known as horse therapy, is a valuable avenue for enhancing fine motor skills through multifaceted mechanisms.

Riding a horse engages the rider's core muscles, fostering strength and stability—an indispensable foundation for refined fine motor control. The dynamic nature of maintaining balance on a moving horse necessitates continuous adjustments, contributing significantly to the development of balance and coordination, both pivotal for fine motor skills.

Furthermore, the correct riding posture cultivates proper alignment and body control, positively influencing hand-eye coordination and precise fine motor movements. Activities like handling reins and grooming involve intricate hand movements, contributing to improved hand coordination and dexterity.

The sensory aspects of interacting with a horse, such as feeling the horse's mane or holding reins, provide tactile feedback that can enhance sensory processing and subsequently fine motor development.

Sequential processing skills are honed through tasks like grooming, as individuals follow a series of steps. The motivational aspect of engaging with a horse encourages active participation in activities that promote fine motor skills.

Additionally, the emotional regulation benefits of horse therapy contribute to improved focus and concentration—critical for successful fine motor task ex*****on. The transference of skills, cultivated in the unique context of horse therapy, often translates to enhanced fine motor abilities in various aspects of daily life. With practical tasks like grooming and tacking, horse therapy provides a real-world context for the development and application of fine motor skills.

Hippotherapy, which involves using horseback riding as a therapeutic tool, can benefit special needs children in various ways.

The rhythmic and repetitive movements of the horse can improve balance, coordination, and muscle tone.

Additionally, the sensory input from the horse can enhance sensory processing and integration, benefiting those with sensory processing disorders.

The unique environment of horseback riding also promotes emotional well-being, confidence, and social interactions, contributing to overall therapeutic outcomes for special needs children.

For more enquiries about our hippotherapy, please WhatsApp to Dr.Khew 01110140828.
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Selangor, 4 November 2023 –

Program Terapi Berkuda pertama untuk kanak-kanak autisme pada 4 November 2023 telah berjaya mengukuhkan keberkesanannya sebagai kaedah terapi inovatif bagi membantu perkembangan kanak-kanak berkeperluan khas.

Majlis pembukaan program ini telah dirasmikan oleh Pn. Azurah Hj Sabrin, Pengarah Jabatan Belia dan Sukan Negeri Selangor, bersama penyokong-penyokong utama termasuk Dr. Siti Zahara Sakimin, Pengarah Pusat Pertanian Putra, Puan Suzannah Musakal dari Kelab Ekuestrian BEST UPM, Encik David Woon dari AFY Autism and Special Needs Center Cyberjaya, serta Dr. Saiful Hasley Ramli, Presiden Persatuan Keluarga Autisme UPM (PEKAUPM).

Hippotherapy Session at Animal for Young 🐎

Grouping objects by colour, size or shape is a developmental milestone for cognition – which is learning, thinking and problem solving. Sorting and matching things helps develop visual perceptual skills, thinking and memory skills. These important brain skills help with attention and problem-solving.

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Early Intervention Programme (EIP) at AFY Autism and Special Needs Centre, Cyberjaya

Horseback riding as therapy

Both therapeutic and recreational horseback riding are frequently recommended for individuals with ADHD. This is because horses respond to both spoken and nonspoken communication through the use of reins and the rider’s legs to direct them. Taking part in this system of communication may provide some of the therapeutic benefits of working with a horse.

“The rhythmic stride of the horse is calming, and after a while, the horse and rider kind of blend into one—they work together, almost as if they were one organism,”.

Many of the common goals of ADHD therapy—increased focus and organization, as well as improvements in executive functioning—can be met by riding and caring for a horse. That means participation not only in regular feeding and grooming, but in saddling the horse for riding. For the rider it includes concentrating on his posture and foot and hand placement, as well as a sense of being in control of the horse.

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Early Intervention Programme (EIP) at AFY Autism and Special Needs Centre, Cyberjaya

🧽The Wilbarger Brushing Protocol is a sensory intervention technique aimed at facilitating better sensory integration in individuals who have difficulties processing sensory information.

The protocol typically involves two main components: deep pressure and brushing.🧽

Deep pressure refers to the application of firm, but gentle, pressure to various parts of the body using specialized tools like a therapy brush. The brushing component involves using a specific brushing technique with a soft-bristled brush on the person’s skin.

The brush strokes are performed slowly and deeply, following a specific sequence, and are typically applied to the arms, legs, hands, feet and back. The process is meant to be calming and organizing for the individual’s sensory system. After brushing, joint compression and also vibration is provided again, in a specific sequence.

How Does it Work? 🤔 💭🤔💭🤔💭🤔

The underlying principle of the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol is believed to be related to the body’s “tactile defensive” response, which is often observed in individuals with sensory processing challenges. Tactile defensiveness refers to an extreme aversion to touch or certain tactile sensations.

When applied correctly, the deep pressure, vibration and brushing may help desensitize the individual to touch and reduce tactile defensiveness. Additionally, the protocol is thought to provide proprioceptive input, which contributes to body awareness and a sense of grounding.

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Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

Horse therapy offers numerous benefits for improving communication and social skills in children. One of its unique advantages is teaching non-verbal communication. Horses are exceptionally perceptive to non-verbal cues, requiring kids to learn to communicate with these animals through gestures, posture, and energy. This newfound understanding of non-verbal communication can readily transfer to their interactions with people.

Moreover, the process of building trust with a horse is a fundamental component of horse therapy. As children establish a connection with these animals, they learn the importance of trust and patience, which can significantly impact their ability to trust others and build healthier relationships in their social lives.

Horse therapy also incorporates verbal communication, as children often need to provide instructions to the horse. This practice allows them to work on clear and concise communication, enhancing their ability to express themselves effectively when interacting with their peers and adults.

Interacting with horses promotes the development of empathy and emotional regulation. Kids learn to understand and respond to the emotions of the horses they work with, cultivating empathy that can readily translate into their human interactions. Additionally, facing challenges and obstacles during horse therapy sessions provides opportunities for problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making, which are valuable skills for social interactions.

The self-confidence gained through successful interactions with horses can be a significant asset in a child's social life. It empowers them to engage more readily in social interactions and take on leadership roles when needed. In some cases, horse therapy is conducted in a group setting, allowing children to work together, collaborate, and establish a sense of belonging within the group.

Hippotherapy, in conjunction with its therapeutic benefits, can significantly aid in arousal regulation.

The rhythmic and soothing motion of riding a horse can help individuals, especially children, achieve an optimal state of arousal.

This calming effect can reduce stress and anxiety levels, allowing participants to better regulate their emotions and focus their attention.

Furthermore, the sensory input and body awareness gained through hippotherapy contribute to improved self-regulation, making it a valuable therapeutic approach for individuals seeking to manage their arousal levels effectively and enhance their overall well-being.

Hippotherapy benefits children’s visual motor skills through the rhythmic and multidimensional movement of the horse. The motion of the horse engages the child’s vestibular system (related to balance and spatial orientation) and proprioceptive system (related to body awareness), which are closely tied to visual motor coordination.

As the child adapts to the horse’s movements, their body responds by making constant adjustments to maintain balance. This process helps strengthen core muscles and improve posture, both of which play a role in fine motor control.

Additionally, the child’s engagement in activities during hippotherapy, such as reaching for objects or playing games, can require precise hand-eye coordination.

These activities challenge the child to visually track and interact with objects while the horse is in motion. Over time, this can improve the child’s ability to coordinate their vision with their hand movements.

Sensory integration treatment is based on the theory that vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile stimulation promote sensory processing and adaptive responses (such as coordination).

Riding on a horse provides intense vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile stimulation-as the rider experiences up and down (vertical) movements, side to side (lateral movements) and diagonal movements in response to the horse’s gait.

The type of stimulation varies when the rider faces sideways or backwards, lies supine (on one’s back) or prone (on one’s belly). Even when a horse is just standing stationary, there are subtle movements that the rider’s inner ears, joints and muscles responds to.

Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

Horse therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, can be beneficial for speech development in autistic children. The rhythmic and repetitive movements of the horse can help improve communication skills, as well as sensory processing and motor coordination.

The presence of the horse often creates a calming and non-threatening environment, making it easier for children to engage in speech therapy activities and social interactions. Additionally, the bond formed with the horse can boost self-confidence and motivation, leading to better communication outcomes for autistic children.

Hippotherapy may help children with autism learn a variety of skills that they can apply in their daily life, and encourage them to start participating in activities they used to avoid.

Some of the numerous physical and psychological benefits hippotherapy has for autistic children include:

- Develop balance and coordination
- Improve posture and flexibility
- Gain new sensory skills
- Improve memory, concentration, and attention to tasks
- Improve motor planning
- Relax tight muscles
- Build muscle strength
- Increase respiratory control
- Improve fine motor coordination
- Refine hand-eye coordination
- Gain self-control and self-confidence
- Get a better sense of body-awareness
- Improve socialization skills
- Build resilience to change
- Improve listening skills
- Learn more appropriate ways to interact with peers.

Hippotherapy has been shown to improve one’s balance, strength, and motor coordination. It has also been proven to be effective in promoting language, sensory regulation as well as improving social skills as students often form an emotional bond with the horses they ride on. This then motivates children to perform skill-building tasks.

A study conducted by Bass, Duchowny, and Llabre in 2009, showed that children who rode horses as therapy showed improvements in several social skills after 12 weeks of therapy.

The researchers found that the children became more socially motivated and improved in sensory seeking and sensitivity.

Most children with autism are unable to integrate their senses and understand how their bodies relate to the external world.

Hippotherapy is a great way to help a child gain a sense of body awareness while improving sensory integration.

Cognitive and Language Skills Development

Special needs children often have difficulty comprehending normal directions. By engaging in hippotherapy, children follow directions through a fun activity that makes taking direction easier to grasp and remember. They will also give the horse direction, which provides them with more opportunities to communicate. Children are naturally motivated to move; thus, they are excited and motivated to communicate.

During the therapy session their cognitive concepts will naturally improve. For example, equine therapists have children throw colored balls into baskets while riding, touch their eyes, mouth, and ears during a song, and identify scenes—all incorporated during riding.

Mashutherapy (Horses For Young Therapy, Equine Assisted Hippotherapy at Serdang)

How horse therapy can be beneficial for motor skills development? Here are some ways in which horse therapy can help improve motor skills:

🐎Balance and Coordination: Riding a horse requires individuals to maintain balance and coordination. The horse's rhythmic movement stimulates the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. As individuals adjust their bodies to the horse's movements, they develop core strength, postural control, and improved balance, which are essential for overall motor skills development.

🐎Muscle Strength and Endurance: Horseback riding engages various muscle groups, including those in the legs, hips, core, and upper body. By actively participating in horse therapy sessions, individuals can develop muscle strength, stability, and endurance. Stronger muscles can support improved motor skills, such as sitting, standing, walking, and engaging in other physical activities.

🐎Fine Motor Skills: In addition to the gross motor skills involved in riding a horse, horse therapy can also support the development of fine motor skills. Activities such as grooming the horse, putting on the bridle, or handling reins require precise hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and finger manipulation. These activities can enhance fine motor skills that are necessary for tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, using utensils, and other daily activities.

🐎Bilateral Integration: Horse therapy encourages bilateral integration, which is the ability to use both sides of the body together in a coordinated manner. When individuals ride a horse, they need to maintain balance and coordination while controlling the reins and guiding the horse. This simultaneous use of both sides of the body helps strengthen connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, supporting the integration of motor skills.

2,000+ Opportunities Per Treatment!

Because therapy horses average 2,000+ steps during a typical treatment, hippotherapy gives patients thousands of opportunities to develop and refine balance responses, leading to improvements in core stabilization and postural control.

Hippotherapy has been proven to be effective in promoting language, sensory regulation as well as improving social skills as students often form an emotional bond with the horses they ride on.

This then motivates children to perform skill-building tasks.