Thank you for your interest in Mane Stream. Below you will find information about the programs at Mane Stream and the appropriate applications and forms. Please read all the information and complete all of the forms, including the required signatures. Please note that ALL signatures on these forms must be by the adult participant (over 18 years old), a parent or legal guardian. No other signatures will be accepted.
The following forms are required to process an application:
Rider/Client Application
Rider/Client Information form
Emergency Information and Release form
Annual Medical History and Physician’s Statement
A letter of receipt will be mailed to you once the forms are received in the office. At this time you will be informed of any missing documents. When all paperwork is complete, it will be reviewed by Mane Stream’s Program Director and Therapy Coordinator, and a free initial screening will be performed within three to six months.
At the screening program options, scheduling, insurance questions, and fees will be discussed. If appropriate, the potential participant will take a short ride on a horse or pony. If there are no available openings in the schedule, the potential participant will then be placed on the waiting list.
It is our goal to place every potential participant as fast as we can, but there may be a wait that can be as long as twelve months. We appreciate your patience while waiting.
Trained volunteers assist instructors during lessons and therapists during therapy sessions to ensure the participant’s safety. All Mane Stream Instructors are PATH certified in teaching adaptive riding. All therapists are NJ licensed and have received special training in the use of the horses’ movement. Our horses are chosen for their quiet and calm dispositions. Lessons and therapy are held rain or shine.
Mane Stream reserves the right to decline service if we do not have the appropriate resources to provide service safely.
For more information or if you have any questions, contact:
Kathy Brennan, Program Director, extension 203 or
Gina Taylor, MS OT HPCS, Therapy Coordinator, extension 208
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Equine Assisted Therapy vs. Adaptive Riding: What is the Difference?
| Hippotherapy | Therapeutic Riding |
|---|---|
| Conducted by a licensed therapist- a physical therapist, occupational therapist or a speech and language pathologist | Conducted by a PATH- (formerly NARHA) certified Therapeutic Riding instructor |
| Private one-on-one sessions | Conducted in groups of 2-4 riders |
| Direct hands on participation by the therapist at all times | Therapist available for consultations only as needed |
| The quality of the horses movement is essential - the horses movement is the “tool” used by the therapist to attain goals | Although the horse’s movement is important, the horses temperament is key |
| A medical treatment session used to improve neurological function in cognition, body movement, organization and attention levels | Recreational horseback riding in which the main focus is on teaching riding skills adapted to individuals with disabilities |
| May be covered by insurance | Is not covered by insurance |
| Children as young as 2 years old may participate | Must be five years old or older to participate |
How do I know which is most appropriate?
Consider the following things:
Does the potential participant require constant support and positioning to be able to maintain sitting balance?
Does the potential participant need frequent assistance to maintain attention or alertness levels?
Is the potential participant under the age of five?
Does the potential participant have special medical needs that may require the knowledge and training from a licensed professional therapist?
Does the potential participant have sensory integration dysfunction or frequent behavioral outbursts to sensory stimulus?
Does the potential participant have specific neuro-motor goals to work on?
Would the potential participant benefit most from private one-on-one sessions?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above then Equine Assisted Therapy may be most appropriate. For more information contact Gina Taylor at (908) 439-9636, extension 208.
General Precaution
It is important to state that in general the horses in the Mane Stream program are well-behaved and are trained and conditioned for circumstances that may occur during lessons or therapy sessions, as are the horse handlers that assist. However, they are still horses, with the nature and innate responses of a horse.
It is the very nature of the horse that makes him useful in adaptive horsemanship programs, equine-assisted therapy and other equestrian applications. He is, as dictated by nature, a prey animal and as such is inclined to take cues from an identified leader whether horse or human and be of a docile nature in most circumstances. An exception to this general rule occurs when the horse experiences fear or pain as the horse understands it. It is those situations which may initiate an innate “flight response.” As large prey animals, nature has provided the horse with one defense against a threat, the ability to run from it. As a result, if the horse is put in a situation where he feels fear or pain, he may react with a “flight response” and may place not only the participant in jeopardy, but may also endanger any people or horses in close proximity as well.
Please be assured that while there are elements of risk involved in equine-assisted activities or therapy, Mane Stream takes every precaution to ensure the safety of all participants. The staff are knowledgeable and experienced. Mane Stream encourages and facilitates their professional development and continuing education. Mane Stream volunteers must participate in a formal training before participating and they receive constant regular instruction and feedback from instructors and therapists. The horses are evaluated before being accepted into the program and are trained. They also receive regular schooling which sharpens their training and they are re-evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that they remain appropriate for the program. These elements are indicative of Mane Stream’s diligence to ensure that activities take place in an environment of maximum safety and control. However, it is important that all program participants have an understanding of the nature of the horse and the risks that are inherent in equine-assisted activities and therapy.
The Mane Stream staff uses their knowledge of horse behavior and the behaviors unique to Mane Stream’s own equine population as well as the criteria listed on the page “Eligibility Guidelines” to determine whether an individual is appropriate for participation in Mane Stream programs. Please link to this page and read the information contained there. Additionally if the client has Down syndrome, please refer to the page “Atlantoaxial Instability” and read that as well.
