Horse Simulator Helping People with Disability

Children and adults in Brisbane with disability now have access to a mechanical horse as part of their ongoing therapy. 

The Miracolt – a horse simulator – gives people who cannot participate in therapy with real horses (due to safety concerns or physical ability) a safe and “true to life” alternative. It has all the benefits of equine therapy but in a controlled environment. It can help with everything from postural control, balance, coordination and endurance, to range of motion, attention and strength.  

The Miracolt Horse Simulator

Developed by Dr Brian Garner and Chariot Innovations, the Miracolt draws on the same principles used in Hippotherapy – a relatively unique therapy tool which utilises the movement of a horse. The Miracolt also mirrors equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.   
  
Help Enterprises’ equine therapy facility at McIntyre Centre in Pinjarra Hills is the first in Australia to acquire the innovative tool. 

Physiotherapist Sally O’Brien, who has been using the Miracolt with her clients at McIntyre Centre, has seen some encouraging results.  
 
Since introducing the new tool into her therapy sessions with 8-year-old Daniel, Sally said “I’ve observed positive changes not only in his physical range of motion and tone regulation, but also in his state of alertness and social engagement.”

Daniel’s mother, Wiji Chapman, has also seen remarkable improvements since Daniel started using the Miracolt. “Now he has the ability to assist me when I help him to stand up and manoeuver in and out of his seat. His muscles aren’t as tense and he’s more relaxed. It’s made a really positive impact,” she said. 

 “Daniel loves working with Sally, and the movements of the Miracolt. He’s as excited about using the Miracolt as he is when he rides the horses,” said Wiji. 

 Much like Daniel, McIntyre Centre regular Darcy has also benefitted from using the Miracolt. Darcy has reduced function of both of his legs and his left arm and mobilises in an electric wheelchair. At 8 years old Darcy started equine therapy using real horse but transitioned to using the Miracolt for a safer riding experience. 

As a child horse riding lessons quickly proved very effective for Darcy. At the start of each lesson, the increased tone in his adductor and hamstring muscles meant that he would sit precariously with his legs up above the saddle flaps.  However, within minutes of the horse walking underneath him, the tone in Darcy’s legs would relax and he would start to lower down into the saddle and find a much more stable position with his feet in the stirrups.   

As the years progressed, several factors meant Darcy could no longer continue therapy on a live horse and the horse-riding lessons came to an end. When the Miracolt was acquired by the Centre in 2021, Sally and Darcy recommenced equine therapy – this time on his new mechanical mount. 

Sally said she has observed positive results “similar to the remarkable effects that I had seen with Darcy on a horse.”

Darcy, who is now a young adult, noted that “the Miracolt is … probably the closest thing you’ll ever get to being on a horse, without actually having to get on one.

I notice after every session, as does Sally, that my legs grow an extra 2cm due to the horse-like swaying of the Miracolt. My legs become a lot looser and have got a better range of motion and flexibility. Instead of behaving like one, my legs are individualized for the next few hours,” said Darcy.

Equine Therapy

The McIntyre Centre has been providing equine-assisted activities and therapies to support people with disability for over 50 years, and the Miracolt is has given them unlimited opportunities in this direction.  They use the special horse-human relationship to help people reach their goals, develop new skills, and achieve personal growth.
Watch this short video to see Sally explain the Miracolt and its benefits.  

To learn more about McIntyre Centre and the Miracolt, visit https://bit.ly/3ti4YwZ
 
Help Enterprises is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation that enhances the lifestyle and independence of people with disability.