Wellness through Equine Motion™

Introducing REST®
Responsive Equine Simulator Therapy

Bringing the proven benefits of equine motion to your home, school or practice.

REST stands for Responsive Equine Simulator Therapy.

It is a small therapeutic chair recommended by medical professionals, school districts and parents to help calm, relax and focus special needs children. The REST chair simulates a walking horse in all planes of motion. In doing so, the REST chair brings the benefits of equine motion indoors, without the need for a horse. Its size, price and versatility make it ideal for use in therapists’ offices, classrooms or homes.

REST was field tested for 30 months in homes, hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities and by physical, occupational and speech therapists. It has proven to be an innovative and effective treatment modality for a number of neurodevelopmental and neuromotor disabilities including:

Equine Motion: A long history of proven benefits.

The benefits of equine motion are time-tested and scientifically proven.

Greek writings as far back as 400 BC mention the healing effects of a slow walking horse in treating both motor and sensory impairments.

Through decades of peer reviewed scientific research, the use of equine movement has evolved into an effective, medically supported therapy used by physical, occupational and speech therapists, as well as psychologists and other mental health practitioners.

By employing the slow, rhythmic movements of a horse, their patients routinely show improved balance, posture, mobility, coordination and strength. Mentally, patients experience improved cognitive, behavioral and communication skills, as well as an increase in focus and calmness. All these benefits are due to the fact that a horse’s walking motion simultaneously activates both left and right hemispheres of the brain, and the area of the brain that controls attention, impulses and activity levels.

Equine Motion: A long history of proven benefits.

The benefits of equine motion are time-tested and scientifically proven.

Greek writings as far back as 400 BC mention the healing effects of a slow walking horse in treating both motor and sensory impairments.

Through decades of peer reviewed scientific research, the use of equine movement has evolved into an effective, medically supported therapy used by physical, occupational and speech therapists, as well as psychologists and other mental health practitioners.

By employing the slow, rhythmic movements of a horse, their patients routinely show improved balance, posture, mobility, coordination and strength. Mentally, patients experience improved cognitive, behavioral and communication skills, as well as an increase in focus and calmness. All these benefits are due to the fact that a horse’s walking motion simultaneously activates both left and right hemispheres of the brain, and the area of the brain that controls attention, impulses and activity levels.

Home Use

REST provides special needs children a level of calmness and focus.

When using REST, a special needs child is able to sit quietly for an extended period, do homework, work on a craft activity, watch TV or comfortably share dinner with the family.

Parents can experience some “down time” that enables them to care for other children, attend to household activities or simply take advantage of well-deserved quiet time.

REST is the most innovative therapeutic device available and it can help improve the lives of special needs children and their families.

Before purchasing a REST for home use, please review Question 4 “How do I know if REST will work for my child?” in the Frequently Asked Questions Section.

Schools

Directors and supervisors of special services state that children who use REST are better able to manage fidgeting, stress and anxiety, while teachers routinely report that the calming effects noticeably increases attention and focus. They also note a significant improvement in productivity and motor skill function.

REST fits perfectly into any school environment. It is quiet and portable. Units can easily be moved between classrooms, therapists’ offices, sensory rooms and gymnasiums.

Schools

Directors and supervisors of special services state that children who use REST are better able to manage fidgeting, stress and anxiety, while teachers routinely report that the calming effects noticeably increases attention and focus. They also note a significant improvement in productivity and motor skill function.

REST fits perfectly into any school environment. It is quiet and portable. Units can easily be moved between classrooms, therapists’ offices, sensory rooms and gymnasiums.

Medical Practitioners

The use of equine motion as a therapy treatment strategy is well known to occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists and mental health providers.

It is used as a therapeutic tool for many physical/physiological disabilities. These include perceived exertion, oxygen uptake, trunk and leg muscle activation and improvements in postural control. Additionally, neurocognitive progress from the use of equine motion has included improvements in attention and a reduction in hyperactivity and impulsivity.

However, accessibility for patients and healthcare professionals is challenging, as less than 1% of medical practitioners have access to this form of treatment.

REST simply eliminates the need for a horse and allows practitioners to provide the benefits of equine motion therapy to their patients directly in their offices.

In fact, the head of Physical Therapy at a major children’s hospital which was REST’s initial evaluation site said: “REST is a wonderful new therapeutic tool that belongs in every therapist’s toolbox”.

FAQ

Why does REST work?

By simulating the unique motion of a slow walking horse, REST allows the user to experience the relaxing and calming effects of this movement. In particular, REST provides the vestibular input which can lead to improved gross and fine motor skills, postural stability, trunk control, focus, attention and regulation.