Often people are surprised to learn that therapies using horses benefit children with autism.  Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication, and unusual or repetitive interests or behaviors.

As physical therapist and therapy services manager, Susan Conroy, explains, children with autism often have mild low muscle tone, core weakness, difficulties with coordination and motor control, and decreased body awareness.  These symptoms can manifest in a child’s life as poor posture, uncoordinated running, facing challenges in playground games and sports activities, or playing too roughly with other children.  These motor concerns can be addressed by a physical therapist using hippotherapy, using the horses’ movement, to improve the quality of life for a child with autism.

Here are some additional examples of how therapies using horses might help an autistic child:

• Socializing can be difficult for a child with autism.  Group riding classes offer the opportunity to interact with others during a shared activity.

• Children with autism often feel more relaxed by rocking or bouncing movements.  These movements are replicated by the three-dimensional movement of a horse.

• Children with autism may flap or tap their hands attempting to calm their sensory system. This action can be redirected when they hold reins.

• Clients often bond with their horse by grooming and caring for the horse, which can teach the clients daily living skills.  Some riders have sensory issues which can be addressed by petting the horse, feeling the horse’s mane, smelling the hay, etc.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapies that use equine movement are adaptable and can address a variety of issues, which differ from client to client.