About Us

GaitQuest is a PATH Int'l (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) registered therapeutic riding center in Dumas, TX. We are working diligently toward becoming an accredited PATH center by following and building upon the professional standards and guidelines that PATH offers. GaitQuest will strive to provide the most individualized services through an assessment process focused on each riders individual needs.

WARNING
UNDER TEXAS LAWS (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES
CODE), AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO
OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING
FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OFEQUINE ACTIVITIES.

What is therapeutic riding?

Therapeutic Riding is an equine assisted activity that enables physically and mentally challenged persons a unique form of recreation that builds mental well being and physical stamina through voluntary and involuntary muscle movement. The gentle movement of the horse is similar to the human gait. The clinical setting cannot stimulate all of these natural body movements at one time as the horse can. The rider must constantly adjust their balance as they ride which increases range of motion, flexibility, improves muscle tone, creates body awareness and orientation. Along with the increased physical benefits this creates an emotional high with a sense of self accomplishment, increased self confidence and a unique relationship bond between horse and rider.

Physical Benefits:

Mobility

Balance

Posture

Core strength

Coordination/flexiblity

Emotional Benefits:

Self confidence

Self esteem

Self accomplishment

Motivation

Cognitive Benefits:

Sequencing

Problem solving

Social interaction

Each individual rider is not only experiencing the enjoyment and benefits of riding, but are learning how to become an independent skilled equestrian through education of the horse and instructor.

What is Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy is utilized as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.

Equine movement affects postural control, sensory systems, and motor planning essential for coordination, respiratory control, sensory integration skills and attentional skills essential to quality of life for the individual.

General Indications for Hippotherapy

Population – children and adults with mild to severe neuromotor dysfunction.

Common clinical impairments that can be treated with hippotherapy are:

Abnormal muscle tone Impaired mobility communication

Postural asymmetry Abnormal reflexes

Impaired coordination Poor postural control

Impaired sensorimotor function reflexes Delayed speech language

Impaired balance and postural control Poor oral motor functioning

Impaired communication

LEVEL I HIPPOTHERAPIST

DEBORAH BALL, SLP

Deborah Ball, licensed to practice in Texas and New Mexico, received her Master of Science in Speech Pathology degree from Eastern New Mexico University. With experience in school based practice, skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers, and private practice, Deborah’s life-long love of horses is an exciting and competent addition to “GaitQuest Therapeutic Horsemanship”.
Deborah holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and is certified by the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) as a Level I Hippotherapist

DISABILITY BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC RIDING

ADD/ADHD ENHANCES MEMORY, SEQUENTIAL THINKING, CONCENTRATION, USES MENTAL/PHYSICAL/TACTILE SKILLS TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON HORSE/RIDER TEAM

AUTISM PHYSICAL AND VERBAL ACTIVITY HELPS TO FOCUS OUTER AWARENESS ON OTHER PEOPLE AND THE HORSES

CEREBRAL PALSY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HELPS WITH BALANCE, POSTURE AND MOTION IN THE JOINTS. INTERACTIVE SPEECH USES THOUGHT AND PHYSICAL PROCESSES

DEVELOPMENTALLY RIDERS ARE APPLAUDED FOR EACH SUCCESS, PROVIDES A GREAT

DELAYED ALTERNATIVE SPORT, HELPS WITH SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

DOWN SYNDROME HELPS WITH SELF-ESTEEM, USE OF FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS, THOUGHT PROCESSING AND SPEECH, PHYSICAL EXERCISE TONES MUSCLES, HELPS WITH POSTURE AND BALANCE

EMOTIONAL RIDERS ARE GIVEN SINCERE ENCOURAGEMENT, HELPS WITH SELF

DISABILITY ESTEEM,BUILDS SELF CONFIDENCE, MUST CONCENTRATE OUTSIDE OF SELF TO DEVELOP HORSE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

VISUALLY IMPAIRED PHYSICALLY ENHANCES GROSS AND FINE MOTOR CONTROL, DEVELOPS MUSCLES AND SYMMETRY. REQUIRES ATTENTION TO SEQUENCING, THOUGHT PROCESS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS. BUILDS TRUST AND BALANCE AND HELPS WITH PROPRIOCEPTION.

HEAD INJURY HELPS TO REBUILD PHYSICAL/MENTAL SKILLS, IMPROVES POSTURE, BALANCE, FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS

LEARNING ENHANCES SKILLS NEEDED TO LEARN, SEQUENTIAL THINGKING, EYE-

DISABILITIES HAND COORDINATION, ATTENTION SPAN, PHYSICAL SKILLS STRENGTHENS BALANCE, FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS. INTERACTION WITH HORSE, STAFF AND OTHER RIDERS USES LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL SKILLS

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PROVIDES AN INDIVIDUALIZED RECREATIONAL PROGRAM, SOCIAL STIMULATION, PHYSICALLY ENHANCES MUSCLES AND BALANCE

SPEECH DISORDERS ENHANCES SKILLS NEEDED FOR COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND THE HORSES IN ALTERNATIVE SPORT ACTIVITY. BUILDS SELF ESTEEM IN CARING ENVIRONMENT

STROKE HELPS TO RE-ACQUIRE SYMMETRICAL USE OF BODY, STRENGTHENS MUSCLES, BALANCE, MOTOR SKILLS AND IMPROVES SPEECH PROCESSES

TRAUMATIC PROVIDES CARING ATMOSPHERE TO TRY NEW SKILLS AND INTERACT WITH

BRAIN INJURY PEOPLE AND HORSES. PHYSICALLY HELPS WITH BALANCE, MOTOR SKILLS AND POSTURE. MENTALLY REQUIRES USE OF PERCEPTION, SEQUENCING AND SPEECH PROCESSING

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Donations can be made to
GaitQuest Therapeutic Horsemanship
Happy State Bank, Dumas TX
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Therapeutic Horsemanship

We are a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization. Providing therapeutic horsemanship through equine assisted activities to mentally and physically challenged persons... fostering independence and success in everyday life activities and social settings.