Abstract
Although other forms of learning support such as remedial education and occupational therapy are available to assist a child with a learning barrier or developmental delay, this study set out to explore therapeutic horse riding as an alternative learning support strategy. The motivation was to support and develop the core skills of Amy, a preschool child who is physically disabled. The researcher’s premise was that owing to the limitations in Amy’s movement ability, certain developmental areas required for school readiness would be impacted. The aim of this case study was to describe the development of core skills such as perceptual-motor, socio-emotional and language and how these underlying abilities could develop through the movement modality of the horse.
A therapeutic horse riding program was implemented over a period of time with the specific goal to stimulate certain core skills by encompassing mind and body. The horse, with its distinctive three-dimensional movement, facilitated this unique form of learning. Although European countries have made great progress in this area, South Africa is steadily following suit. Therefore, the researcher hoped to contribute to the body of existing knowledge within this field.
Data were collected from different sources to substantiate the findings. Findings have revealed an improvement in many areas of Amy’s core skills, in particular her balance and posture, and the crossing of her midline. Further findings were that Amy’s concentration and listening skills improved and she became more even-tempered, confident and innovative during therapeutic horse riding (THR).
The researcher recommends therapeutic horse riding as a supplementary learning support strategy within a school for special educational needs although it can also be implemented in the mainstream context. In this regard, the therapeutic horse riding therapist becomes a valued member of the support team in a collaborative endeavour to contribute to the holistic development of a child like Amy or any child with learning, emotional or behavioural needs. Although THR is considered a new field of therapy results have shown that it provides great benefits to those who experience it.
Mrs. J.V. Fourie