A Scoping Review of Equine-Assisted Therapies on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Autistic Children and Adolescents: Exploring the Possibilities.
Abstract: Animals are increasingly being utilized to assist with therapies for people with various health conditions. Horses are often used as a mechanism of engagement and development for autistic children and adolescents. Horses offer a unique opportunity for interaction as the child or adolescent can physically ride and interact with the animal, thus creating a therapy that involves contact that is different to other animals. Benefits derived from equine-assisted therapies can be physical, social, behavioral, emotional, sensory, and cognitive. However, a current and specific research gap exists in understanding the potential mental health impacts of horse riding on autistic children and adolescents, as perceived and experienced by their parents, carers, and horse-riding service providers. This scoping review examined research on parents' and service providers' perceptions of the benefits of horse-related therapies, with a particular focus on perceptions of positive mental health impacts. A comprehensive electronic search across PubMed, Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature identified 16 articles from 15 studies which met the inclusion criteria. Findings included non-mental health-related benefits (as perceived by parents and service providers), mental health-related benefits (as perceived by parents and service providers), benefits for those other than the child/adolescent, and limitations of equine-assisted therapies. With the increased use of equine therapy, and the mounting evidence of its positive impacts on mental health, it is timely to expand research on how to better harness interventions and maximize the mental health benefits for autistic children and adolescents.
Publication Date: 2024-07-23 PubMed ID: 39042874DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2024.2364236Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Scoping Review
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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Overview
- This research article reviews existing studies on the effects of equine-assisted therapies on the mental health and well-being of autistic children and adolescents.
- It particularly focuses on perceptions from parents, carers, and service providers about mental health benefits and identifies areas needing further research.
Introduction and Background
- Animals, particularly horses, are increasingly used to support therapeutic interventions for individuals with various health conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Equine-assisted therapies are unique because they involve direct physical interaction, such as riding, which differs from interactions typical with other animals.
- Such therapies can provide a range of benefits for autistic children and adolescents, including physical, social, behavioral, emotional, sensory, and cognitive improvements.
- Despite this, there is a research gap in understanding how these therapies specifically impact the mental health of autistic youth from the perspectives of their parents, carers, and therapy providers.
Purpose and Scope of the Review
- The review aimed to synthesize available research focused on perceptions of the benefits of horse-related therapies for autistic children and adolescents.
- It did so by looking at studies reporting on mental health outcomes as perceived by parents, carers, and equine therapy providers.
- The goal was to identify the types of benefits documented and highlight limitations and gaps in current understanding.
Methodology
- A comprehensive search was conducted across three major databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL).
- Search criteria focused on articles pertaining to equine-assisted therapy and its effects on mental health and well-being in autistic children and adolescents.
- A total of 16 articles from 15 distinct studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis in this scoping review.
Findings
- Non-mental health-related benefits: Parents and service providers reported improvements in physical abilities, sensory processing, behavioral regulation, social interaction, and cognitive functioning in autistic children involved in equine therapies.
- Mental health-related benefits: Positive impacts on emotional well-being were noted, including reduced anxiety, increased self-esteem, and enhanced mood stability as perceived by caregivers and therapy providers.
- Benefits beyond the child or adolescent: Some studies also indicated that families and carers experienced indirect benefits, such as reduced caregiver stress and improved family dynamics.
- Limitations and challenges: Limitations included variability in therapy implementation, small sample sizes, lack of control groups in many studies, and a need for more rigorous, systematic research to confirm mental health outcomes.
Implications and Future Directions
- With growing use and positive anecdotal evidence for equine-assisted therapy, there is a timely need to deepen understanding of how these interventions can be optimized for mental health benefits in autistic youth.
- Future research should focus on controlled studies with larger samples to verify mental health impacts and identify which components of therapy are most effective.
- Collaboration among researchers, clinicians, therapists, and families is recommended to design targeted interventions and assessment tools.
- Addressing gaps around factors influencing therapy outcomes, long-term effects, and individual differences among autistic children will help maximize the therapy’s therapeutic potential.
Conclusion
- The review highlights promising evidence for equine-assisted therapies as a meaningful supportive intervention for autistic children and adolescents, especially in relation to mental health and well-being.
- However, more empirical research is needed to establish best practices and broaden accessibility to maximize benefits for this population.
Cite This Article
APA
Cleary M, West S, Thapa DK, Hungerford C, McLean L, Johnston-Devin C, Kornhaber R.
(2024).
A Scoping Review of Equine-Assisted Therapies on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Autistic Children and Adolescents: Exploring the Possibilities.
Issues Ment Health Nurs, 45(9), 948-960.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2024.2364236 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQUniversity, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQUniversity, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQUniversity, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health - Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQUniversity, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
- Westmead Psychotherapy Program for Complex Traumatic Disorders, Parramatta, Australia.
- Western Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
- Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, CQUniversity, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
- Child
- Adolescent
- Autistic Disorder / psychology
- Autistic Disorder / therapy
- Animals
- Horses
- Mental Health
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Brumpton HL, Kargas N. Perceived Benefits and Barriers for Autistic Adults Accessing Therapeutic Horse Riding for Mental Health.. Behav Sci (Basel) 2026 Jan 7;16(1).
- Grant L, Harper K, Gentile JP. Deprescribing in Patients with Intellectual Disability.. Innov Clin Neurosci 2025 Apr-Jun;22(4-6):29-37.
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