Heated Reins
Project Intention
This is a collaborative project between with Emily Carr University and North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association to develop a fun-interactive medical assistive product that is used on the horse during Therapeutic Riding for children with Cerebral Palsy. Current therapeutic riding assistive equipment lacks the ability to help relax stiff muscles for those who have Spastic Cerebral Palsy. The aim of my project is to use heat as a main component to help relax the muscles. To maximize and target my user group, I want to design a multifunctional object that targets a wide range of individuals with varying degrees of Spastic Cerebral Palsy.
Inspiration
Having grown up riding horses and loving the outdoors, I wanted to concentrate on a disability in which horseback riding was used as a source of treatment. Being a volunteer at North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association I was inspired to work with the riders and instructors to design assistive therapeutic equipment. NFTRA is a non-profit charitable organization enriching the lives of children and adults who experience physical, mental, emotional or social challenges by providing safe and professional therapeutic horse back riding.One of the conditions that stood out to me and in which I saw a design opportunity was Spastic Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy, also known as CP is a broad term that describes several neurological, brain disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. Cerebral Palsy is caused by abnormalities inside the brain that disrupts the communication between muscles and the brain, therefore affecting muscle tone, movement and motor skills. Damage is not reparable, meaning that there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy but with the right supportive treatments, therapy and assistive equipment; individuals are able to help manage and cope with the symptoms.
Children that suffer from Cerebral Palsy can undergo several forms of treatment, depending on the type of Cerebral Palsy they have. However, one of the therapies that interest me is Therapeutic Riding. Therapeutic Riding is a form of equine therapy that aims to improve a patient’s neurological function, sensory processing and overall functional ability through the movement of a horse. The goal is to help the patient move in response to the horse’s movement, ultimately establishing normal patterns of human walking, improving sensory processing and cultivating neurological functioning. The variable gait, shape, rhythmic motion, repetition, warmth and cadence of a horse’s movement can influence human neuromuscular development and is extremely helpful for individuals with cerebral palsy.
Looking at existing Therapeutic Riding assistive equipment
Brainstorming
Heated Reins
Individuals with Cerebral Palsy have trouble holding onto horse reins. These reins are made from fabric and have rice/corn/or flax seeds inside which can be heated using a microwave. The heat will help relax the hand muscles, making it easier for individuals to hold.
Leg Warmer
This leg warmer can be used on/off therapeutic riding lessons. This leg warmer can be wrapped around the upper or lower leg with Velcro so it suits a wide range of leg sizes. It is made from fabric and has rice/corn/ or ax seeds inside which can be heated using a microwave (or potentially heating pack). The heat will help relax the leg muscles, reducing any pain associated with it.
Heated Saddle Cushion
Rather than attaching something to your leg that heats up and helps relax your muscles, this design also aims to help relax the leg muscles by using heat. This adjustable horse saddle cushion is made from corn/rice or flax seeds and can be warmed up using a microwave. It can be attached by a zipper to the cushion and helps relax the leg muscles.
Prototyping Natural Heating Elements
My goal is to create microwavable heating reins that are filled with with organic fillers as a way to soothe and help relax the tight hand muscles that individuals with Cerebral Palsy suffer from. I played with Barley, Rice, Rolled Oats, Wheat, Flax. The best heat retention & least smell was FLAX SEEDS
Testing shapes
These heated donuts shaped rings are filled with flax seeds and can be heated in the microwave. Can easily be attached to the horse reins and the rider can choose to use one or two depending on their range of motion abilities. Things to consider: Hygiene, how will the reins be washed? Outer casing? Octopus concept where there are several tentacles with different lengths and width. Individuals can choose the ideal tentacle shape and size suits their hands. With the right attachment for the reins, the individual can manipulate the position according to their liking.
Final Production
How to heat up the reins (tentacles)
Process of opening the tentacle: Open the bottom of the tentacle (snap fasteners) and remove organic filler. Microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute (or however warm you want it) and insert back in the tentacle, ready for use.
***An important point that was brought up during the midterm critique was hygiene. Living in a barn environment, it is critical that the organic fillers could be removed and microwaved while the outer pocket could be washed.
In Context
Shortest Tentacles (Yellow + Green) attached to the regular horse reins & saddle.
Medium Tentacles (Blue + Orange) lobster clasp attaches to the rings that are part of the saddle.
Longest Tentacle (Purple) lobster clasp attaches to the rings on saddle or on surcingle.
Each riding session is a custom-made approach where the instructor decides which horse and what equipment is appropriate for the child. Each tentacle has the option open to be customizable. Being able to attach to a saddle, pre-existing reins or a surcingle, in varying positions all depending on the child’s needs and wants. I came up with the shape of an octopus not only to make it child friendly and fun to interact with but mostly as a representation of what I ultimately want for children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy; to move freely without pain. With the possibility to warm up the reins, it is my goal to help relax the hand muscles in order to enhance their overall experience on the horse and improve gross motor function, reducing the degree of motor disability.
Credits
Emily Carr University of Art & Design
Spring 2017 INDD
Instructor: Sarah Hay
Helena Parewyck
helena.parewyck@hotmail.com
604-763-5012
