Stajduhar Stables

View and Print the Hippo/Therapeutic riding forms.

Our History
Stajduhar Stables was created by Lisa Stajduhar, a physical therapist and horse owner who saw the benefits of equine assisted therapy for clients with physical, mental, emotional, and social disabilities. Stajduhar Stables opened in 2002 with three horses; a physical therapist who was also a therapeutic riding instructor and an occupational therapist, The stables has grown to serve more than 80 clients in the DFW area and surrounding counties and is still growing. Now, the program has one physical therapist, one PTA, one SLP, two occupational therapists, two therapeutic riding instructors, and two EAGALA Level one facilitators. One of the unique aspects of Stajduhar Stables was putting together a multi-disciplinary team of therapists and therapeutic riding instructors who could provide quality, one on one care to each client and their family.

Programs | Resources | Staff

Our Therapy Programs

Stajduhar Stables provides two programs- hippotherapy and therapeutic riding. Hippotherapy (Hippos- from the Greek work for horse) is a term which refers to the use of the movement of a horse as a tool by trained physical, occupational and speech therapists to address impairment and functional limitations in people with disabilities. The horse is used as a part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. The movement of the horse as it is walking occurs in the same planes of motion that a human’s pelvis moves when he/she is walking. A rider seated astride a horse has that normal movement translated into their pelvis as they ride. Specially trained therapists utilize the motion in order to achieve their therapy goals.

Clients who benefit from hippotherapy usually present with the following impairments:

Abnormal tone
Impaired balance
Abnormal reflexes
Impaired coordination
Impaired communication
Poor postural control
Decreased mobility
Sensory-motor dysfunction

Some of the diagnoses seen in hippotherapy are:

Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Metabolic disorders
Chromosomal abnormalities
Multiple sclerosis
CVA
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Sensory-motor dysfunction
Central Nervous System Disorders

Therapeutic riding uses equine oriented activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of people with disabilities. After an assessment by the therapeutic riding staff, the clients are taught to ride based on their skills and learning styles. During the evaluation, the therapists and therapeutic riding instructor confer to assess the client’s needs and check for any contraindications or precautions to riding based on NARHA guidelines. Modifications of tack, involvement of volunteers, and horse selections are based on the client’s special needs. At Stajduhar Stables, the emphasis is on an enjoyable and relaxing experience which provides additional benefits in the areas of socialization, posture, mobility and an overall improved quality of life.

Individuals with the following disabilities commonly participate and benefit from therapeutic riding:

Muscular dystrophy
Cerebral palsy
Visual impairment
Down Syndrome
Mental Retardation
Autism
Multiple Sclerosis
Spina Bifida
Emotional Disabilities
Brain Injuries
Spinal Cord injuries
Amputations
Learning Disabilities
Deafness
CVA

Benefits of Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding include:

Increased arousal and attention
Balance strategies
Bilateral integration
Body awareness, sensory integration
Circulation
Increased self esteem
Dynamic postural stability
Increased endurance
Increased expressive and receptive speech
Midline orientation
Mobility of the pelvis, spine and hip joints
Increased strength
Modification of Muscle tone
Increased motivation
Increased Musculoskeletal alignment
Increased oral motor function
Increased posture, symmetry and alignment
Increased respiratory function
Increased problem solving
Increased self confidence
Increased socialization

For more information about our programs, please call Stajduhar Stables at 817-849-1999. If you are interested in signing up for a program, please click here to download the paperwork for Hippotherapy or Therapeutic Horseback riding.

Resources

	North American Riding for the Handicapped Association NARHA is a membership organization that fosters safe, professional, ethical and therapeutic equine activities through education, communication, standards and research for people with disabilities.
	American Hippotherapy Association The American Hippotherapy Association is a membership organization that promotes hippotherapy through the professional growth of physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists interested in using the movement of the horse as a strategy in treatment.
	American Physical Therapy Association The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 66,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.
	American Occupational Therapy Association The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public.
	American Speech and Hearing Association ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 118,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally.
	Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association is a non-profit organization developed to address the need for resources, education, and professionalism in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.