Research
Autism
The Effects of Hippotherapy on Motor Control, Adaptive Behavior, and Participation in Children with ASD
Ajzenman, H. F., Standeven, J. W., & Shurtleff, T. L. (2013). Effect of hippotherapy on motor control,
adaptive behaviors, and participation in children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study.
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 67, 653–663. http
The Effect of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Social Functioning in Children with Autism
Bass, Margaret, M., Duchowny, Catherine, A., Llabre, Maria, M. (2009). The effect of therapeutic
horseback riding on social functioning in children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39, 1261-1267.
Gabriels, R. L., Agnew, J. A., Holt, K. D., Shoffner, A., Zhaoxing, P., Ruzzano, S., Mesibov, G. (2012). Pilot study measuring the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on school-age children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(2), 578-588.
Effects of Equine Assisted Activities on Autism Spectrum Disorder
Lanning, B. A., Baier, M. E. M., Ivey-Hatz, J., Krenek, N., & Tubbs, J. D. (2014). Effects of equine assisted activities on
autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Occupational Therapy Incorporating Animals for Children with Autism
Sams, M. J., Fortney, E. V., & Willenbring, S. (2006). Occupational therapy incorporating animals
for children with autism: a pilot investigation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(3), 268-274.
Taylor, R. R., Kielhofner, G., Smith, C., Butler, S., Cahill, S. M., Ciukah, M. D., & Gehman, M. (2009). Volitional change in
children with autism: a single-case design study of the impact of hippotherapy on motivation. Occupational
Therapy in Mental Health, 25, 192-200.
Brain Injury and Brain Disorders
Effects of Horseback Riding Therapy on Quality of Life in Patients Post Stroke
Bionotti, Fernanda, Christofoletti, Gustavo, Correia, Nilzete, & Borges, Guilherme. (2013). Effects o horseback
riding therapy on quality of life in patients post stroke. Top Stroke Rehabilitation, 20(3), 226-232.
Hippotherapy in Adult Patients with Chronic Brain Disorders: A Pilot Study.
Sunwoo, H., Chang, W. H., Kwon, J.-Y., Kim, T.-W., Lee, J.-Y., & Kim, Y.-H. (2012). Hippotherapy in adult patients with
chronic brain disorders: A pilot study. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 36(6), 756–61.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The Effects of Therapeutic Riding on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Cuypers, K., De Ridder, K., Strandheim, A. (2011). The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on five children with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 17
(10); 901-908.
"We feel [our son] has become more social and interactive with others, responds faster to directives and has gained confidence in himself."
-Mom of child with autism
“The #1 thing that we enjoy seeing is [our son] interacting with the OT students. The amount of engagement him has now as compared to before EAOT is huge. We are so proud of him when he rides.”
-Mom of child with autism
Current Research Summaries on the Benefits of EAT
Summaries
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Autism
Brain Injury and Brain Disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Intellectual and Learning Disability
Mental Health
Older Adults
Spinal Cord Injury
Cerebral Palsy
The Improvements in Muscle Symmetry in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Benda, W., McGibbon, N., Grant, K. (2003). The improvements in muscle symmetry in children with
cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy). The Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine. 9 (3).: 817-825.
Effect of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Posture in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Bertoti, D. B. (1988). Effect of therapeutic horseback riding on posture in children with cerebral palsy. Physical
Therapy, 68(10), 1505-12.
Davis E, Davies B, Wolfe R, Raadsveld R, Heine B, Thomason P, Dobson F, & Graham HK. (2009). A randomized
controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 51(2), 111-9.
Strength Training can have Unexpected Effects on the Self-concept of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Dodd, K. J., Taylor, N. F., & Graham, H. K. (2004). Strength training can have unexpected effects on the self-concept of children with cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy: The Official Publication Of The Section On Pediatrics Of
The American Physical Therapy Association, 16(2), 99-105.
Effect of Hippotherapy on Perceived Self-Competence and Participation in a Child with Cerebral Palsy
Frank, A., McCloskey, S., & Robin, L. D. (2011). Effect of hippotherapy on perceived self-competence and participation in a child with cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 23(3), 301-308.
McGee, M. C., & Reese, N. B. (2009). Immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on gait parameters in children with
spastic cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy : The Official Publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the
American Physical Therapy Association, 21(2), 212–8.
McGibbon NH, Benda W, Duncan BR, Silkwood-Sherer D. 2009. Immediate and long-term effects of hippotherapy on symmetry of adductor muscle activity and functional ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Arch Phys
Med Rehab. 2009;90:966-974.
Changes in Dynamic Trunk/Head Stability and Functional Reach after Hippotherapy
Shurtleff, T., Standeven, J., Engsberg, J., (2009). Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and
functional reach after hippotherapy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 90(7), 1185-1195.
Shurtleff TL, Engsberg JR. (2010. Changes in trunk and head stability in children with cerebral palsy after hippotherapy: a pilot study. Phys Occup Ther Pedi. 2010;30(2):150-163.
Silkwood-Sherer DJ, Killian CB, Long TM, Martin KS. Hippotherapy: an intervention to habilitate
balance deficits in children with movement disorders – a clinical trial. Phys Ther. 2012;92:707-717.
Down Syndrome
Champagne D, Dugas C. Improving gross motor function and postural control with hippotherapy in children
with Down syndrome: case reports. Physiother Theory Pract. 2010;26(8):564-571.
Intellectual and Learning Disability
Giagazoglou, P., Arabatzi, F., Dipla, K., Liga, M., & Kellis, E. (2012). Effect of a hippotherapy intervention program on static balance and strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Res Dev Disabil, 33(6), 2265-2270. doi:
10.1016/j.ridd.2012.07.004
The Effectiveness of Hippotherapy for Children with Language-Learning Disabilities
Macauley, B. and Gutierrez, K. (2004). The effectiveness of hippotherapy for children with
language-learning disabilities. Communication Disorders Quarterly. 25 (4) : 205-217.
"I can see just how much EAOT has helped through [her] new skills in riding her bike."
-Mom of child with CP
"[She] has been more able to fully participate with peers especially on the playground."
-Mom of child with CP
"Although it seems small, [EAT] has helped [her] to take part more fully in her family activities and to keep up with her siblings. [She] feels so much more included."
-Mom of child with CP
Mental Health
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy for At-Risk Adolescents
Bachi, K., Terkel, J., & Teichman, M. (2012). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at risk adolescents: the influence on
self-image, self-control and trust. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 298-312.
The Impact of Hippotherapy on Grieving children
Glazer, H., Clark, M., & Stein, D. (2004). The impact of hippotherapy on grieving children. Journal of
Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 6(3), 171-175.
Why Children with Special Needs Feel Better with Hippotherapy Sessions: A Conceptual Review
Granados, A & Fernandez, A. (2001) Why children with special needs feel better with hippotherapy
sessions: A conceptual review. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, 17(3), 191-197.
"Although it seems small, [EAT] has helped [her] to take part more fully in her family activities and to keep up with her siblings. [She] feels so much more included."
-Mom of child with CP
Older Adults
Effect of Equine-Assisted Therapy on the Postural Balance of the Elderly
Araujo, T., Silva, N., Costa, J., Pereira, M., and Safons, M. (2011). Effect of equine-assisted therapy on
the postural balance of the elderly. Rev Bras Fisioter, 15(5), 414-419.
Spinal Cord Injury
The Effect of Hippotherapy on Spasticity and on Mental Well-Being of Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
Lechner HE, Kakebeeke TH, Hegemann D, Baumberger M. The effect of hippotherapy on spasticity
and on mental well-being of persons with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
2007;88(10):1241-1248.
"I will miss coming to horse therapy each week."
-Child with CP
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