Services
Our therapeutic riding sessions are individually tailored and provide a safe and structured riding experience. The client’s strengths, capabilities and their individual personality, are all considered when determining the structure, the content and activities that is included in each session.
Open My World follows Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) standards and certifications.
SENSORY TRAILS
Unlike many centers, the sessions do not solely take place in an arena setting. Students also ride on the center’s “sensory trails” through beautiful trees on the property. The trees provide shade and interest while therapeutic games and activities placed along the trail provide a true multi-sensory experience. New activities designed to augment the experience are sometimes added to address the therapeutic needs of our individual clients.
THERAPEUTIC GOALS AND SAMPLE ACTIVITIES
The activities which take place during sessions require stretching, bending, and balance, which help develop or improve motor skills. All these activities are completed by students while mounted. Depending the student’s capabilities, basic horsemanship and riding skills are also acquired. Goals and objectives can be addressed and accomplished during a therapy session. Unique activities help clients work on following directions, eye-hand coordination, balance, development of upper body and arm muscle strength, and increased stamina.
For example:
- Clients work on maneuvering their horse between poles laid down on the ground. This activity requires positioning of the horse and a good judgment of distance.
- Riders are sometimes asked to place a hoop onto a pole. For this activity, stretching and eye-hand coordination are both required. Handling the hoop may require transferring it from one hand to another to enhance motor skills.
- Riding the horse between colored cones requires awareness of distance, directional change, knowledge of right and left and colors. All are incorporated into this exercise.
- Tossing a ball requires balance, eye-hand coordination and a sense of timing. An additional outcome is feeling secure and confident enough to attempt the challenging task while mounted, thus enhancing self confidence and self esteem.
BUILDING SELF CONFIDENCE AND MORE
Throughout every session clients are given words and cheers of encouragement, which in turn, helps to build self-confidence, improve self-esteem, heightens their awareness of their own achievements, and helps with the expansion of their personal capabilities. Read about how to get started as a client.
Here’s one life that has been changed – Hannah was very timid, almost non-verbal, and unsure of herself when she first began coming to Open My World. She would not come into the barn if there was anyone other than the instructor or Mom in the barn. No one else could be in sight. Her responses to questions were two or three words at best. She cried at the smallest verbal correction.
Within six months, she was able to be in the barn with others and have limited interaction. Within a year she was riding independently and participated in a horse show with an audience. She also gave a speech in front of her classmates!
Becoming a Client – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process of becoming a client at Open My World?
Please email info@openmyworld.org to set up a visit. There is no fee for the initial visitation, and this visit allows us to get to know each other so we can understand what comfort level the individual seeking therapy has in an outdoor, animal-filled surrounding. This first visit will also give you a chance to find out where we are located.
Set up evaluation sessions. The evaluation sessions will help us to establish a baseline as well as determine what the individual needs are. Evaluations are conducted as a full therapy session with a duration of either thirty minutes or a full hour. The charges for these visits will be based on our standard fees for a session, as described below.
At the conclusion of the evaluation, the instructor will share the findings of her observations to establish a therapy plan, and to set up a schedule with you.
What are the fees?
Half hour sessions are $220 per month. (one session per week)
Full hour sessions are $340 per month. (one session per week)
Open My World is a tuition based program. Payments are due by the fifth of the month.
What about Insurance / Agency paid sessions?
Open My World is a provider for CLASS under Disability Services of the Southwest (DSSW), Gucci Healthcare Services, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and Texas Workforce Comission (formerly called DAD) programs.
Insurance is accepted, but every company/policy is different. We accept if they accept.
Here’s one life that has been changed – Presley’s parents brought her to Open My World with the hope of developing her core strength and balance. In addition to having Down Syndrome, her communication skills were very delayed.
Presley’s parents were advised to learn sign language to communicate.
Presley’s terrific progress in therapy made verbal communication possible. Presley has not only improved her core strength, she has gone from 3 word sentences to run on sentences! Like any other child her age, she asks many “why” questions!
