Page 12 - SanFelipe

that dementia is a disease which robs our memory and which can be prevented in great
part, as only 1/3 of patients with dementia have a genetic predisposition and 2/3 of the
patients develop it is due to lifestyle. So, even though a person might have a genetic
marker for any of the dementia diseases, it doesn’t mean they will develop the disease,
as lifestyle can positively or negatively influence the development of the disease.
Q. In addition to the Connective Horse Program, you also run the Therapeutic Riding
Program, which is of great help to the community, can you gives a little background?
A. Here in Mexico, the locals use the terms for equine therapy interchangeably, though
there are several differences between Equine Assisted Therapeutic Programs and
Therapeutic Riding/Therapeutic Equine activities. Therapeutic Riding/Equine Activities
means that what you do with the horse has a therapeutic benefit, as opposed to Equine
Therapy which means you are a licensed therapist (mental & physical ) who, in addition
of being a licensed practitioner, has gone through specialized training using a horse to
implement such therapy.

Essentially, it is a medical practice. I am
certified as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, so
I provide riding instruction to people who need
some kind of assistance, whether children or
adults. The assistance can be augmented rid-
ing or augmented riding gear, such as special
saddles and bridles. We need to address the person’s disability through the riding. It
could be an emotional disability and/or anxiety, it can be anything from missing limbs,
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, quadriplegia, autism, etc. But the focus for me is to be able to
teach a rider regardless of the disability for both children and adults.
Q. How is this program being received in San Felipe?
A. Currently, I am providing Therapeutic Riding lessons to the children from the Cam
School which is a federal school for special needs children. Throughout the year, when
the weather is amiable, and with the help of volunteers (we always need more), we
bring several of the to the EC to receive lessons. That way, teachers and counselors
can accompany them and sometimes the principal joins us as well. They integrate what
12 they learn at the Center as part of their lessons. With these children, because of the