📍Speech Therapy with horses in Sussex County, NJ
Speech therapy, with a little help from a horse.
Speech Stable NJ brings speech therapy onto the farm by using equine movement and connection as part of individualized, motor-based treatment with Dr. Jenn Moore. Our program follows the training and protocols from the American Hippotherapy Association.
Saturdays at Relaxed Reins in Sussex County, NJ
What is Equine Movement?
It may look unconventional, but there’s real clinical reasoning behind it.
THE HORSE IS PART OF THE TREATMENT
Speech therapy with equine movement is used by licensed occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists as part of a patient’s plan of care.
During Speech Stable NJ sessions, Dr. Jenn uses equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems in support of each child’s functional communication goals.
The horse isn’t simply where therapy happens. The horse—and its movement—becomes part of how Dr. Jenn delivers treatment.
EQUINE MOVEMENT VS THERAPEUTIC RIDING
Speech therapy with equine movement is not a recreational riding lesson or a separate form of riding instruction. It is a therapy tool integrated into treatment by a licensed healthcare professional and used alongside other clinical strategies based on the child’s individual plan of care.
Learn more about hippotherapy through the American Hippotherapy Association →
Dr. Jenn is a member of the American Hippotherapy Association for SLPs, OTs, and PTs
WHY HORSES?
Dr. Jenn created Speech Stable NJ after seeing how equine movement can help children engage differently during speech therapy. Pair that with the unique connection horses can build with kids, and the stable became a natural extension of her approach.
there's more than one way to connectWHAT A SESSION CAN LOOK LIKE WHILE WE ARE WORKING ON SPEECH GOALS
-
RIDE
The horse’s movement can become part of Dr. Jenn’s speech and motor-based interventions, providing a dynamic environment for working on muscle-motor goals. The horse’s movement produces a three-dimensional motion that closely mimics the movement of a person’s pelvis during walking. This can help with posture and core stability.
-
GROOM
Learning to groom and care for a horse can create opportunities for sensory regulation and connection. Research has shown when humans are around horses, their heartbeats can sync up thus providing a calming effect on a person’s nervous system.
-
CONNECT
Simply spending time with a horse can create meaningful opportunities for interaction, communication, and participation.
-
CARE
Feeding and caring for the horses may also become part of a session when those activities support the child’s individual treatment goals.
Meet the Horses
Casper may be the heart behind Speech Stable NJ, but every child is paired with the horse that best matches their individual needs.
Our horses are carefully selected and extensively trained for the program, with experienced handlers present throughout every session.
From Casper, our gentle retired ranch horse, to Pippy, our pony for smaller riders, each member of the herd brings something a little different to the stable.
Meet Casper
Casper is a retired ranch horse from Texas who Dr. Jenn and her family rescued two years ago. His calm demeanor and natural connection with children quickly revealed what Jenn believes is his true gift: working with kids.
For some of our smaller riders, Pippy the pony is ready to step in.
Where to Find Us
Speech Stable NJ takes place on Saturdays at Relaxed Reins in Sussex County, New Jersey.
Relaxed Reins is led by Megan, who has more than 20 years of experience working with horses. Megan is part of every Speech Stable session to support the safety of both horse and rider, and all participating horses complete extensive training with her before joining the program.
Relaxed Reins · Sussex County, NJ
Your Questions, Answered
-
Dr. Jenn created Speech Stable NJ after seeing how movement can support engagement during motor-based intervention, particularly for autistic children and children with childhood apraxia of speech.
Hippotherapy isn’t the right tool for every child. Dr. Jenn considers your child’s communication needs, motor and sensory profile, treatment goals, comfort around horses, and overall plan of care when determining whether Speech Stable NJ may be a good fit.
-
Speech Stable NJ sessions are currently offered on Saturdays at Relaxed Reins in Sussex County, New Jersey.
-
No previous horse or riding experience is necessary. Dr. Jenn and the Relaxed Reins team will help your child become comfortable with the horses and the stable environment at their own pace.
-
Not necessarily. Every session is guided by your child’s individual treatment plan. Depending on their goals and needs, a session may include riding, grooming, feeding, interacting with a horse from the ground, or a combination of activities.
-
Children are paired with the horse that best matches their individual needs. Casper is an important part of Speech Stable NJ, and Pippy the pony may be a great match for smaller riders, but the right pairing depends on the individual child.
-
An experienced horse handler is part of every Speech Stable NJ session to support the safety of both horse and rider. Megan, who leads Relaxed Reins, has more than 20 years of experience working with horses, and participating horses complete extensive training before joining the program.
Dr. Jenn has also completed more than 200 hours of hippotherapy training and is on the certification track through the American Hippotherapy Association.
-
Mouth Dynamics is in-network with several major insurance plans, but coverage and benefits vary by individual plan.
Families are Talking!“I can't believe the progress.”
“We drive 45 minutes because she's worth it.”
“She understood my child immediately.”
“My child actually looks forward to therapy.”
“She's been a true lifesaver for my son.”
“She always knew exactly what to work on next.”
“He found his voice.”
“She taught our whole family.”
“She always found the next goal.”
“She challenged him in all the right ways.”
“She was always there to answer our questions.”
“I can't imagine where we'd be without her.”
Ready to get started?
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Jenn. Appointments are available in person in Northern New Jersey and virtually throughout New York and New Jersey.
