At its heart, occupational therapy helps people of all ages participate more fully in the activities that matter most in their everyday lives. These activities—called “occupations”—include everything from getting dressed and brushing your teeth to playing with friends, preparing a snack, writing at school, and participating in the community.

At Manes for Movement, occupational therapy looks a little different.

Rather than simply practicing skills within the walls of a traditional clinic, our clients have the opportunity to learn and grow through meaningful, real-life experiences in the barn and alongside our horses. The barn becomes our therapy space, and everyday activities become opportunities to build strength, coordination, independence, confidence, and connection.

A child working on handwriting skills might design a colorful sign for their favorite horse’s stall, strengthening the fine and visual-motor skills needed for writing along the way. Another client might follow a multi-step recipe to make horse treats, practicing sequencing, attention, sensory processing, and executive functioning while getting their hands a little messy.

For some clients, the movement of the horse is incorporated through hippotherapy. While riding through the arena, a child might reach for toys, maintain different positions, or complete an obstacle course. Behind the scenes, the movement of the horse is facilitating development of postural control, strength, balance, body awareness, and motor planning—skills that translate to sitting at a desk to complete schoolwork or navigating a playground. Preparing carrots and apples for a horse can become an opportunity to explore new foods and develop feeding skills. Even observing how horses and people communicate can spark conversations about emotions, relationships, personal space, and social skills. They aren't simply completing a therapy exercise—they are caring for a horse, accomplishing a barn job, learning a new skill, solving a problem, or connecting with another person. They have a reason to keep trying, and they get to experience the pride that comes from doing something meaningful.

This is what makes occupational therapy at Manes for Movement so special: the therapy is woven into experiences that are real, engaging, purposeful, and memorable.

During our Month of Giving, we invite you to become part of this work. Your generosity helps Manes for Movement continue providing a unique environment where horses, meaningful activity, and skilled therapeutic services come together to help our clients grow. Help us keep our clients moving forward—one meaningful occupation, one accomplishment, and one hoofbeat at a time!
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Manes for Movement, Inc
P.O. Box 1587
Torrance, CA 90505
info.manesformovement@gmail.com
Tax ID #: 84-2971941

Manes for Movement, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible under IRC Section 170.