PATH Intl
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Progress Notes
Progress notes are a requirement for PATH Intl. certified instructors to complete. They keep instructors (and centers) compliant with PATH Intl., and they also keep track of what is occurring in lessons and what a rider can do next. Every instructor has their own, unique way of writing notes but there are a few things… Continue reading
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Maintaining Factors
I learned about maintaining factors during my speech pathology studies and I instantly related it back to what I have learned as a therapeutic riding instructor. Maintaining factors are elements of an individual and/or disability that contribute to the maintenance of a problem. To put this in a therapeutic riding context, maintaining factors refer to… Continue reading
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Improved Motor Coordination and Balance
Increased balance, core strength, motor coordination, muscle strength, and endurance are just a few of the physical benefits horseback riding may provide. Core strength helps us maintain posture on the horse, release pressure on the lower back, and use our breath to help the horse. Motor coordination is required to use the reins, move the… Continue reading
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Pattern Recognition
Pattern recognition is an important piece of transferring short-term memories to long-term memories. Pattern recognition is how we learn things like the ABCs and cause-and-effect. It helps us predict and expect what comes next. Horses are all about pattern recognition and as therapeutic riding instructors, we can use this to our advantage. Horses recognize that… Continue reading
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Safety Awareness
Today’s post is a combination of speech-language pathology and equine activities. Let’s talk about safety awareness in the therapy world first. Through the speech pathologist lens, safety awareness comes down to how a person communicates in an unsafe situation. Does the individual know their address? A phone number? Can they communicate their name? Do they… Continue reading
About Me
Hello! I am a PATH, Intl CTRI (certified therapeutic riding instructor) and ESMHL (equine specialist in mental health and learning). I am also a graduate student clinician in speech-language pathology.
This is my little arena where I will share my experience in equine assisted activities and my burgeoning knowledge in speech-language pathology.
I’m so happy to have you here!