Therapy Programs
All occupational and speech therapy services are provided through our sister company, Integrated Pediatric Therapy Associates. All clients seen at Iron Horse must qualify and receive services through IPTA prior to transitioning to the farm in their therapy care plan. All music therapy services are provided through Elevate Music Therapy and clients must be shared patients of IPTA.
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Occupational Therapy Utilizing Equine Movement
Occupational therapy utilizing equine movement provides clients the opportunity to engage in OT sessions while seated on a horse. Using the horse's movement as a tool to facilitate improved postural control, motor development, sensory integration, and social emotional/self-regulation skills, clients engage in a variety of therapy tasks to maximize growth! The horse provides natural challenges in postural control and gross motor development, to improving oral motor skills and fine motor development. From children who have yet to start walking to older adults experiencing dementia, OT utilizing equine movement provides a meaningful and engaging therapy session across the lifespan.
Occupational Therapy Utilizing Nature Based Therapy
Occupatonal therapy using the farm-based environment provides ample opportunity to generalize learned skills from our clinical locations to a natural environment. Using goats, chickens, cats, and our mini donkey & horse, clients get the opportunity to work on self-regulation, problem solving, time management, and socialization skills throughout sessions. Quality time spent with our animals or in our therapeutic & adaptive garden ensures that clients of all abilities are able to enjoy a farm-based experience. Occupational therapy on the farm provides real life, hands-on skills to then bring into the home, school and public environment.
Speech Therapy Utilizing Equine Movement
Speech therapy utilizing equine movement combines the therapeutic benefits of horse movement with meaningful communication opportunities in a fun, motivating environment. During these co-treatment sessions with occupational therapy, children naturally practice language, social communication, following directions, problem-solving, and self-advocacy while interacting with horses and participating in equine activities. The rhythmic movement of the horse can support attention, regulation, and engagement, creating an ideal foundation for communication growth. Best of all, children are often so engaged in the experience that learning feels like an adventure rather than therapy.
Speech Therapy Utilizing Nature Based Therapy
Farm-based speech therapy sessions bring communication to life through hands-on experiences with animals, gardening, and daily farm activities. Whether feeding chickens, caring for goats, planting vegetables, or exploring the farm, children are surrounded by natural opportunities to ask questions, make requests, describe what they see, engage in conversations, and build vocabulary. The farm provides a motivating and meaningful environment where communication happens for real-life purposes, making speech and language skills more functional and easier to carry over into everyday life. It's a place where children can learn, grow, and have fun while building confidence in their communication skills.
Music Therapy Utilizing Equine Movement
Music therapists work collaboratively with occupational therapists and the horse team to provide music assisted equine therapy. Music can support communication and vocalizing as riders are prompted to fill in the blank for preferred songs or tell their horse to "Go!" when they're ready to ride. Playing instruments while on the horse or completing musical cognitive tasks can support core strength while also providing opportunities for problem solving.
Music Therapy Utilizing Nature Based Therapy
​Music therapy can support farm based sessions by providing cognitive, motor and socioemotional support as clients engage in tasks. Music activates the left and right side of the brain, making it a supportive tool to help individuals with attentiveness, sequencing tasks, coordinating body movement, as well as identifying and expressing emotions and coping skills. At the farm, this could look like using music to express how an animal may be feeling or attending to a task for the length of a song.
Beginning Services
All patients must be seen by Integrated Pediatric Therapy Associates and/or Elevate Music Therapy. All referrals, evaluations and care plans will start in the IPTA clinical locations in either Windsor or Greeley.
PCP Referral
Please have a referral for speech or occupational therapy sent from the primary care physician/pediatrician to IPTA's fax line, 970-541-0357.
Evaluation
Once the referral has been sent, families will be scheduled with IPTA to start OT/SLP services in one of the clinic locations.
Waitlist
Once evaluated, patients appropriate for either equine movement or nature-based therapy will be added to the farm's waitlists. The scheduling team will contact you when your child is up next to be scheduled.
Please note: Iron Horse is a smaller facility and availability is based on the needs of our current patients.