A randomized controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsy.
Abstract: This randomized controlled trial examined whether therapeutic horse riding has a clinically significant impact on the physical function, health and quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ninety-nine children aged 4 to 12 years with no prior horse riding experience and various levels of impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-III) were randomized to intervention (10wks therapeutic programme; 26 males, 24 females; mean age 7y 8mo [SD 2y 5mo] or control (usual activities, 27 males, 22 females; mean age 8y 2mo [SD 2y 6mo]). Pre- and post-measures were completed by 72 families (35 intervention and 37 control). Children's gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]), health status (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ]), and QoL (CP QoL-Child, KIDSCREEN) were assessed by parents and QoL was assessed by children before and after the 10-week study period. On analysis of covariance, there was no statistically significant difference in GMFM, CP QoL-Child (parent report and child self-report), and CHQ scores (except family cohesion) between the intervention and control group after the 10-week study period, but there was weak evidence of a difference for KIDSCREEN (parent report). This study suggests that therapeutic horse riding does not have a clinically significant impact on children with CP. However, a smaller effect cannot be ruled out and the absence of evidence might be explained by a lack of sensitivity of the instruments since the QoL and health measures have not yet been demonstrated to be sensitive to change for children with CP.
Publication Date: 2009-02-05 PubMed ID: 19191844DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.03245.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study conducted a randomized controlled trial to analyze the impact of therapeutic horse riding on children with cerebral palsy. It concluded that there’s no significant evidence to show that horseback therapy improves the quality of life, health, and motor function in these children, though it notes that the tools used for measurement may lack sensitivity.
Objective
The research aimed to decipher whether therapeutic horse riding (also known as equine-assisted therapy) has any marked beneficial effect on children suffering from Cerebral Palsy (CP). CP hampers the physical function, overall health, and quality of life of a child. This research explored if therapeutic horse riding could improve these three factors.
- Ninety-nine children between 4 to 12 years of age were selected for the study, all of whom had no prior horse riding experience.
- These children were classified as per their impairment levels, following the Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-III.
- The children were randomly assigned to the intervention group, which underwent a 10-week therapeutic horse riding regime, and the control group, which continued their usual activities.
Methodology
Multiple assessment tools were used to evaluate the impact of the therapy. Pre and post measures were taken for both groups, with 72 families completing the full process.
- The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used to gauge the children’s gross motor function.
- The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) was applied to assess the health status of the children.
- The Quality of Life (QoL) was measured by two tools – CP QoL-Child and KIDSCREEN. These measures were given by both parents and children before and after the 10-week study period.
Results
Post-evaluation, there was no significant statistical difference in GMFM, CP QoL-Child (both parent report and child self-report), and CHQ scores between the children who underwent the therapy and the ones who did not. However, a slight difference, based on weak evidence, was present for KIDSCREEN (as per parent reports).
Limitations and Suggestions
The study concluded that horseback therapy doesn’t seem to influence children’s health, motor function, and quality of life significantly. However, it also suggested reconsideration due to the possible lack of sensitivity in the measurement tools used. The instruments employed to assess QoL and health might not be adequately sensitive to perceive possible changes in children with CP, indicating further refinement in methodological approaches is required to have more precise outcomes.
Cite This Article
APA
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.
Dev Med Child Neurol, 51(2), 111-88.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.03245.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- McCaughey Centre, VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. eda@unimelb.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Activities of Daily Living
- Animals
- Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology
- Cerebral Palsy / psychology
- Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Health Status
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Motor Activity
- Motor Skills / physiology
- Play Therapy / methods
- Quality of Life / psychology
- Retrospective Studies
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 21 times.- Ali MS, Awad AS. Comparison of the efficacy of two interventions in ameliorating abdominal thickness and sitting function in children with diplegia. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2022 Aug;17(4):548-555.
- Ayala MD, Carrillo A, Iniesta P, Ferrer P. Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 10;11(12).
- Gitimoghaddam M, Vanderloo LM, Hung R, Ryce A, McKellin W, Miller A, Collet JP. Impacts of Participation in Community-Based Physical Activity Programs on Cognitive Functions of Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci 2021 Feb 5;11(2).
- Lovrić R, Farčić N, Mikšić Š, Gvozdanović Debeljak A. Parental Perception of Changes in Basic Life Needs of Children with Disabilities after Six Months of Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Qualitative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Feb 13;17(4).
- Mutoh T, Mutoh T, Tsubone H, Takada M, Doumura M, Ihara M, Shimomura H, Taki Y, Ihara M. Impact of Long-Term Hippotherapy on the Walking Ability of Children With Cerebral Palsy and Quality of Life of Their Caregivers. Front Neurol 2019;10:834.
- Gitimoghaddam M, McKellin WH, Miller AR, Weiss JA, Majnemer A, Mâsse LC, Brant R, Symington V, Wishart RL, Collet JP. Gymnastic-Based Movement Therapy for Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Results From a Pilot Feasibility Study. Front Pediatr 2019;7:186.
- Boyd L, le Roux M. 'When he's up there he's just happy and content': Parents' perceptions of therapeutic horseback riding. Afr J Disabil 2017;6:307.
- Nqwena Z, Naidoo R. The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on heart rate variability of children with disabilities. Afr J Disabil 2016;5(1):248.
- Ryan JM, Cassidy EE, Noorduyn SG, O'Connell NE. Exercise interventions for cerebral palsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017 Jun 11;6(6):CD011660.
- Lee N, Park S, Kim J. Effects of hippotherapy on brain function, BDNF level, and physical fitness in children with ADHD. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem 2015 Jun;19(2):115-21.
- Park ES, Rha DW, Shin JS, Kim S, Jung S. Effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance of children with cerebral palsy. Yonsei Med J 2014 Nov;55(6):1736-42.
- Holm MB, Baird JM, Kim YJ, Rajora KB, D'Silva D, Podolinsky L, Mazefsky C, Minshew N. Therapeutic horseback riding outcomes of parent-identified goals for children with autism spectrum disorder: an ABA' multiple case design examining dosing and generalization to the home and community. J Autism Dev Disord 2014 Apr;44(4):937-47.
- Shikako-Thomas K, Dahan-Oliel N, Shevell M, Law M, Birnbaum R, Rosenbaum P, Poulin C, Majnemer A. Play and be happy? Leisure participation and quality of life in school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012:387280.
- Beetz A, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Julius H, Kotrschal K. Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Front Psychol 2012;3:234.
- Dahan-Oliel N, Shikako-Thomas K, Majnemer A. Quality of life and leisure participation in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities: a thematic analysis of the literature. Qual Life Res 2012 Apr;21(3):427-39.
- Edwards V, Wyatt K, Logan S, Britten N. Consulting parents about the design of a randomized controlled trial of osteopathy for children with cerebral palsy. Health Expect 2011 Dec;14(4):429-38.
- Seery R, Graham-Wisener L, Wells DL. A Qualitative Exploration of the Lived Experiences and Perspectives of Equine-Assisted Services Practitioners in the UK and Ireland. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 30;15(15).
- Stergiou AN, Ploumis A, Kamtsios S, Markozannes G, Christodoulou P, Varvarousis DN. Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2025 May 26;14(11).
- Xiao N, Bagayi V, Yang D, Huang X, Zhong L, Kiselev S, Bolkov MA, Tuzankina IA, Chereshnev VA. Effectiveness of animal-assisted activities and therapies for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1403527.
- Seery R, Wells D. An Exploratory Study into the Backgrounds and Perspectives of Equine-Assisted Service Practitioners. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 22;14(2).
- Stergiou AN, Mattila-Rautiainen S, Varvarousis DN, Tzoufi M, Plyta P, Beris A, Ploumis A. The efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy intervention in gross motor function, performance, and spasticity in children with Cerebral Palsy. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1203481.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
