MiraColt™
The MiraColt™ is an innovative game changer for realizing the beneficial outcomes of hippotherapy
for people with Autism (ASD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Parkinsonism and Stroke.
Meet the MiraColt™
The MiraColt™ replicates almost exactly the complex, 3-dimensional movement patterns (gait) of a walking horse. This ensures that the MiraColt™ can deliver the neuro-muscular stimulation that is important in hippotherapy for individuals with Autism (ASD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Parkinsonism or undergoing Stroke rehabilitation.
See how the MiraColt™ can help with:
The MiraColt movement, which simulates the natural human walking gait, stimulates the brain to improve neuro and muscular function.
This hippotherapy simulator equipment provides a rhythmic movement which stimulates anterior and posterior swinging motions and encourages the rider to achieve proper balance and posture while also receiving a large spectrum of sensory and motor input. The user sits on a padded seat with hands on the handlebars. The control panel is used to adjust the settings to get the optimal speed for each rider. A typical therapy session with the MiraColt is 15-25 minutes (which represents 1500 – 2500 neuromotor inputs to the user). The movement of the horse used in conjunction with evidence-based occupational, physical, and speech therapy
has shown to improve outcomes with individuals with cerebral palsy, other spastic or dystonic issues, Stroke, Parkinson’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other special needs conditions. This is accomplished by engaging the neuromotor functions, cognitive systems, and sensory channels with appropriate therapies, utilizing the beneficial movement of the horse.
When applied with other therapy strategy tools, the MiraColt therapeutic horseback riding equipment has been shown to offer patients a unique opportunity for fine and gross motor learning and development to achieve a better quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Chariot and the other, cheaper horse gait equipment?
What is the weight limit to ride?
How long do you recommend people to ride for therapy?
How fast do you recommend we have our patients ride?
Who benefits from riding MiraColt?
What are the safety precautions I should take when riding or having one of my patients ride?
What are the different exercises or ways I can use the MiraColt?
How much is this typically used in other centers? How many of their patients?
What’s the difference between Chariot and the other, cheaper horse gait equipment?
The organic, realistic, three-dimensional walking motion. MiraColt accurately mimics the 3D motion of a walking therapy horse. Other hippotherapy simulators only accomplish a 2-dimensional, back and forth, or up and down motion – they do not give correct walking motion repetitions. In order to get the full benefits of walking motion for balance improvement, gait training, and neuromuscular development, you must have a correct, three-dimensional walking motion.
The motion of riding a walking therapy horse is very similar to the motion of the natural human walking pattern. Research done by Dr. Brian Garner at Baylor University compares these two organic motions and shows their similarities (click here to see a video comparing the human pelvis when walking vs. riding a walking therapy horse).
MiraColt closely mimics the walking motion of the horse (And we have evidence – motion graphs comparing horse and MiraColt). Therefore, our therapeutic riding horse simulator gives you the opportunity to access accurate, correct, realistic, organic walking motion that you cannot get anywhere else aside from a live therapy horse.
Whether you are working on standing balance, postural control, gross motor skills, attention to task, or communication development, the question is, “How can you get as many quality repetitions in as small amount of time as possible?” It can often take thousands of repetitions to achieve therapy goals.
What is the weight limit to ride?
The MiraColt is rated for 275 lbs.
How long do you recommend people to ride for therapy?
Time riding depends on you or your patient’s goals and diagnosis. Warming up for physical activity or brief sensory input will be a shorter ride such as 5 to 15 minutes.
Those working on balance and walking stability often ride for longer, 20 minutes to as long as 60 minutes, to get more repetitions of the walking motion. Please consult your medical professional before riding to determine what are the safest and best practices for your specific situation.
How fast do you recommend we have our patients ride?
The pace of the machine is dependent upon the goals of the therapy and therapist. Standard walking motion is between 30 – 45 Hz
Who benefits from riding MiraColt?
Any person needing physical, cognitive or behavioral therapy.
What are the safety precautions I should take when riding or having one of my patients ride?
We recommend all the wheels to be locked on the MiraColt. Check that the surface surrounding the MiraColt and rider is safe. Make sure the rider is in a stable position, and have a trained caretaker or medical professional assist. The precautions will be established by the therapist who best understands the needs and abilities of the client.
What are the different exercises or ways I can use the MiraColt?
We recommend utilizing physical therapy protocols. It also depends on the goals and outcomes the therapist is trying to achieve. Clients have ridden forward, backward, sideways, on their back, standing, and kneeling.
How much is this typically used in other centers? How many of their patients?
Our feedback from our current practitioners, “There isn’t a person that we see who could not benefit from utilizing the MiraColt.”
What’s the difference between Chariot and the other, cheaper horse gait equipment?
The organic, realistic, three-dimensional walking motion. MiraColt accurately mimics the 3D motion of a walking therapy horse. Other hippotherapy simulators only accomplish a 2-dimensional, back and forth, or up and down motion – they do not give correct walking motion repetitions. In order to get the full benefits of walking motion for balance improvement, gait training, and neuromuscular development, you must have a correct, three-dimensional walking motion.
The motion of riding a walking therapy horse is very similar to the motion of the natural human walking pattern. Research done by Dr. Brian Garner at Baylor University compares these two organic motions and shows their similarities (click here to see a video comparing the human pelvis when walking vs. riding a walking therapy horse).
MiraColt closely mimics the walking motion of the horse (And we have evidence – motion graphs comparing horse and MiraColt). Therefore, our therapeutic riding horse simulator gives you the opportunity to access accurate, correct, realistic, organic walking motion that you cannot get anywhere else aside from a live therapy horse.
Whether you are working on standing balance, postural control, gross motor skills, attention to task, or communication development, the question is, “How can you get as many quality repetitions in as small amount of time as possible?” It can often take thousands of repetitions to achieve therapy goals.
What is the weight limit to ride?
The MiraColt is rated for 275 lbs.
How long do you recommend people to ride for therapy?
Time riding depends on you or your patient’s goals and diagnosis. Warming up for physical activity or brief sensory input will be a shorter ride such as 5 to 15 minutes.
Those working on balance and walking stability often ride for longer, 20 minutes to as long as 60 minutes, to get more repetitions of the walking motion. Please consult your medical professional before riding to determine what are the safest and best practices for your specific situation.
How fast do you recommend we have our patients ride?
The pace of the machine is dependent upon the goals of the therapy and therapist. Standard walking motion is between 30 – 45 Hz
Who benefits from riding MiraColt?
Any person needing physical, cognitive or behavioral therapy.
What are the safety precautions I should take when riding or having one of my patients ride?
We recommend all the wheels to be locked on the MiraColt. Check that the surface surrounding the MiraColt and rider is safe. Make sure the rider is in a stable position, and have a trained caretaker or medical professional assist. The precautions will be established by the therapist who best understands the needs and abilities of the client.
What are the different exercises or ways I can use the MiraColt?
We recommend utilizing physical therapy protocols. It also depends on the goals and outcomes the therapist is trying to achieve. Clients have ridden forward, backward, sideways, on their back, standing, and kneeling.
How much is this typically used in other centers? How many of their patients?
Our feedback from our current practitioners, “There isn’t a person that we see who could not benefit from utilizing the MiraColt.”
