Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding

The American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation performed a research review to determine whether therapeutic riding and hippotherapy improve balance, motor function, gait, muscle symmetry, pelvic movement, psychosocial parameters, and the patients’ overall quality of life.  Following a literature search, 16 articles were included in the review.  Assessment revealed:

1. most of the studies showed a trend toward a beneficial effect of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy on balance and gross motor function.
2. the meta-analysis showed improvement in both the Berg Balance Scale and the Gross Motor Function Measure in therapeutic riding and hippotherapy programs.

The researchers concluded that therapeutic riding and hippotherapy are a suitable intervention for individuals with balance, gait, and psychomotor disorders.

Reference:  Stergiou, Alexandra; Tzoufi, Meropi MD; Ntzani, Evangelia MD; Varvarousis, Dimitrios MD; Beris, Alexandros MD; Ploumis, Avraam MD. Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: Post Author Corrections: March 1, 2017. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000726

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Hippotherapy and Children with Autism

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published a pilot study on 6 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in 45 minute hippotherapy sessions for 12 weeks.  To determine pre and post intervention scores the following were used: the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–II, the Child Activity Card Sort, force plates and a video motion capture system and force plates.

The results indicated the following:

• significant decrease in postural sway post hippotherapy
• significant increase in overall adaptive behavior particularly receptive communication and coping
• significant increase in self care skills, low demand leisure skills and social interactions

The authors concluded that "hippotherapy has a positive influence on children with ASD and can be a useful treatment tool for this population".  

Reference: Heather F. Ajzenman, John W. Standeven, and Tim L. Shurtleff Effect of Hippotherapy on Motor Control, Adaptive Behaviors, and Participation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study Am J Occup Ther November 2013 67:653-663; doi:10.5014/ajot.2013.008383  

Hippotherapy and Balance

Physical Therapy published research on the effects of hippotherapy on balance.  Sixteen children with documented balance problems participated in 45 minute hippotherapy sessions, 2 times per week for 6 weeks.  Following the intervention the participants exhibited a statistical difference on the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) on the Activities Scale for Kids—Performance (ASKp).  The researchers concluded that hippotherapy may be a viable strategy for reducing balance deficits and improving the performance of daily life skills in children with mild to moderate balance problems.


Reference:  Debbie J. Silkwood-Sherer et al. Hippotherapy—An Intervention to Habilitate Balance Deficits in Children With Movement Disorders: A Clinical Trial.  PHYS THER May 2012 92:707-717; published ahead of print January 12, 2012, doi:10.2522/ptj.20110081

Hippotherapy and Cerebral Palsy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published a meta analysis research study on hippotherapy and children with cerebral palsy. Out of 77 studies, 8 were included in the analysis. The results indicated the following:

"Therapy was found to be effective in 76 out of 84 children with CP included in the intervention groups. The comparison groups comprised 89 children: 50 non-disabled and 39 with CP. A positive effect was shown in 21 of the children with CP in the comparison group regardless of the activity undertaken (i.e. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sitting on a barrel or in an artificial saddle)"

Overall, hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding was shown to improve balance and postural control in children with cerebral palsy.

Reference: Zadnikar M, Kastrin A. Effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding on postural control or balance in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011 Aug;53(8):684-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.03951.x. Epub 2011 Mar 24.

Hippotherapy and Gait

The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published research on the effects of hippotherapy on 32 children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. The children received 2, 30 minute sessions, of hippotherapy for 8 weeks. Walking speed, stride length, and pelvic kinematics (average pelvic anterior tilt, pelvic anterior tilt at initial contact, pelvic anterior tilt at terminal stance) improved significantly following the hippotherapy sessions. In addition, scores for dimension E (walking, running and jumping) of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), GMFM-66 and PBS (Pediatric Balance Scale) also showed improvements.

Reference: Jeong-Yi Kwon, Hyun Jung Chang, Ji Young Lee, Yumi Ha, Peter K. Lee, Yun-Hee Kim. Effects of Hippotherapy on Gait Parameters in Children With Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - May 2011 (Vol. 92, Issue 5, Pages 774-779, DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.031)

Therapuetic Horseback Riding and Children with Autism

The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders published research on the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on children with autism. A 12 week intervention of therapeutic horseback riding for 19 children with autism resulted in less inattention, distractibility and sedentary behavior. In addition, the children displayed increased social motivation, sensory seeking behaviors and greater sensory sensitivities.

Reference: Margaret M. Bass, Catherine A. Duchown and Maria M. Llabre (2009) The Effect of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Social Functioning in Children with Autism Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Volume 39 (9):1261-1267.

Simulated Hippotherapy

Researchers at Baylor University have created a mechanical horse to mimic the actions of a real horse. The goal of the project is to have a machine that children or adults can use if they are scared of horses or if they can not get up high on the horse. This mechanical horse is the first of its kind to use a three dimensional system. It is meant to be a complimentary therapy or a tool to progress to riding on a real horse. Additional research is planned for the mechanical horse.

I am not very well versed in hippotherapy but I have to say with no horse there is something missing. It is my opinion, that one of the benefits of hippotherapy beyond the physical benefits is the bond that a child creates with the horse. The experience of being outdoors riding on a real horse also offers benefits.

I would love to hear from therapists who specialize in hippotherapy on this topic.

Reference: Baylor University Baylor Researchers Build Advanced Mechanical Horse For Therapy Retrieved from the web on 5/6/09 from http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=58672

Hippotherapy and Autism

Here is a video of one child's story on hippotherapy and autism from CBS news.


Watch CBS Videos Online