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April 2008, RCES Helps Disabled Children in Rayong
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Xenophon is a volunteer-run program working out of St. Andrew’s Equestrian Center, providing therapeutic horseback riding to children of various disabilities.
Therapeutic riding, while quite well known throughout Europe and the United States, is a new concept in Thailand. Disabled children are put on horseback, with the horse being a huge catalyst to achieve specific therapy goals. Through activities and games that are played while on horseback, muscles are strengthened, motor skills are improved, and balance is developed. Research has shown that the movement of the rider’s hips and legs while sitting astride a walking horse is similar to the movement of a person when walking. So, muscles and balance needed for walking can be developed while the rider is supported on the horse. All this is accomplished while the child is having fun.
Xenophon Far East opened in July of 2007. Since this time, the program was limited to riders with mental disabilities and those with minor physical disabilities. While children with more severe physical disabilities can benefit greatly, especially those in wheelchairs, the program could not take them because there was no means to safely mount them from their chairs onto the horse. The addition of the mounting ramp will allow the program to serve a broader range of children. A big thank you goes to the RCES for opening the doors for all disabled children to experience the benefits of therapeutic riding.
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