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: most of the studies showed […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Here is a video of one child’s story on hippotherapy and autism from CBS news. Watch CBS Videos Online