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therapy services

What services does Mane Stream offer?
Mane Stream offers occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and counseling support services.

What is hippotherapy?
Defined by the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc., the term hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.

Best practice dictates that occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals integrate hippotherapy into the client’s plan of care, along with other therapy tools and/or strategies.

What treatment tools do you use?
Our therapists choose from many tools and strategies to benefit the children and adults they work with. Therapists at Mane Stream have training in hippotherapy, NDT, Sensory Integration, AAC, and DIR/Floortime. We also utilize whole body vibration provided by a TheraPlate to address issues with tone, provide sensory input and facilitate weight shift and gait training.

Why use the horse?
In therapy, the client engages in activities on the horse that are enjoyable and challenging. The therapist is able to modify the horse’s movement and carefully grade sensory input creating a foundation that aids in improving neurological function and sensory processing. This foundation can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.

Are there any limitations for participants?
There is a list of precautions and contraindications that guide whether equine movement will be included in a persons’ plan of care. The list is included in the participant application and should be read by the attending physician before signing the Annual Medical Form. Participants may still receive therapy in the clinic when equine movement is contraindicated.

What age can my child start therapy at Mane Stream?
Mane Stream will see children as young as 2 years of age in our therapy services program.

What is a typical therapy session like?
A therapy session will include a variety of strategies to assist the client in meeting their goals. This means that the session may begin in the clinic or with the horse or the horse may be engaged later in the session. There is no typical amount of time that equine movement is utilized for each client.

How often are therapy sessions? How long are the sessions?
Clients typically come to therapy one time per week for 45 minutes. Frequency and duration are determined by the referring physician and the treating therapist. Clients receive therapy until their goals are met, they have a change in status, or are no longer progressing and are discharged from therapy. Therapy is provided on a plan of care basis, 3 to 8 months in duration.

Is therapy conducted year-round?
Therapy at Mane Stream operates approximately 46-48 weeks of the year. Therapy sessions are conducted rain or shine and throughout both the summer and winter months.

What is the cost of therapy?
Therapy sessions range from $90.00 to $180.00 depending on the length of the session.

Is therapy at Mane Stream covered by insurance?
Mane Stream is a private pay facility and does not accept insurance. However, if your plan covers out-patient and out-of-network therapy services, your sessions may be covered. Please discuss this further with our Director of Therapy Services.

Are missed therapy sessions made up?
Limited make-up sessions are available. Client absences are made-up depending on available appointments in the therapy schedule.

What is the procedure to receive therapy at Mane Stream?
Once all required paperwork is received in the office, you will attend a free screening. Once screened, patients will confirm an appointment time. The first appointment will be an initial evaluation that is conducted by the treating therapist. Multi-disciplinary evaluations are also available.

Do I have to have an evaluation at Mane Stream?
Yes, Mane Stream therapists are required to provide an evaluation of the patients we treat to determine needs and goals. We appreciate evaluations completed by school and other professionals, but Mane Stream provides an evaluation for all clients prior to providing services.

Is there a waiting list?
No! Mane Stream does not have a waiting list and is currently scheduling clients for individual occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and counseling support services.

Will my child learn riding skills?
No, riding skills are not taught during therapy sessions. In therapy, clients are not "riding” the horse. Within the therapy team, the horse is considered a partner with his movement considered as a tool. The horse is always controlled by a trained horse handler under the direction of the treating therapist.

What is AHA?
Headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. provides education, facilitates research, and promotes hippotherapy as an effective treatment strategy that improves the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The AHA, Inc. provides therapists around the world with education regarding the safe and effective use of equine movement in a medical setting.

For more information contact: 
Jen Dermody, Director of Program Services
Jen@manestreamnj.org or ext. 207

adaptive riding

What is adaptive riding?
Adaptive riding is horseback riding under the guidance of a PATH-certified Instructor with assistance from trained volunteers.

What is PATH?
PATH – Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International is the national accrediting and certifying body for professionals in the Equine Assisted Activities field. For more information on PATH, visit their website at pathintl.org.

How many riders are in each lesson?
Adaptive riding lessons are taught in private and semi-private formats. Riders in private lessons are 1:1 with an instructor allowing for individualized and intensive instruction.  Riders in a semi-private class are 2:1 with an instructor allowing for both social interactions as well skill progression.

How often do riders ride? How long are the lessons?
Riders may ride once per week or may sign up for multiple lessons per week. Adaptive riding lessons are 30 minutes, including mounting and dismounting.  

Do you offer private lessons?
Yes, Mane Stream offers private riding lessons geared towards individual riding goals.  Private lessons are perfect for riders wishing to progress to the next skill level.

What is the cost of a lesson?
Lessons are $60 per private lesson and $55 per semi-private riding lesson, payable at the start of each session.

Are missed lessons made up?
Rider absences are not made up. If a rider can not ride for an extended time because of medical reasons, a credit will be applied. If Mane Stream cancels a lesson for any reason, a credit will be applied towards the next session.

Are adaptive riding lessons covered by insurance?
No,  riding lessons are not therapy and do not involve a therapist in any way.

What is the procedure to ride at Mane Stream?
Once all required paperwork is received in the office, you will be notified and you/your child will set up an appointment for a free screening.   Once screened, riders will be able to sign up for an appropriate lesson.

Are there any limitations for participants?
There is a list of precautions and contraindications that guide whether riding is appropriate for everyone. The list is included in the participant package and should be read by the attending physician before signing the annual medical form.

How long is the waiting list?
Mane Stream does not currently have a waiting list and has a rolling enrollment for new participants.

For more information contact: 
Jen Dermody, Director of Program Services
Jen@manestreamnj.org or ext. 207