Child horse harmony in motion: a preliminary study to explore heart rate synchronization in equine assisted therapy for neurotypical and ADHD children.

Overview

• This study investigates the synchronization of heart rates between horses and children during equine-assisted therapy sessions, focusing on differences between neurotypical children and those with ADHD.
• The research suggests that heart rate synchronization may play a role in emotional regulation and therapeutic outcomes, with evidence of increasing synchronization over therapy sessions for children with ADHD.

Introduction to Equine-Assisted Services (EAS)

• EAS involves therapeutic activities that incorporate interactions with horses.
• The goal of EAS is to support various therapeutic outcomes such as emotional regulation, physical rehabilitation, and psychological well-being.
• This study specifically examines physiological responses, particularly heart rate synchronization, between horses and child participants during therapy sessions.

Study Design and Participants

• Participants included 25 children aged 6-12 years.
• Two groups were studied:
  • Novice riders diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), n = 15.
  • Experienced neurotypical riders, n = 10.
• The difference in experience level and diagnosis provides insight into how rider background influences heart rate synchronization.

Methodology

• Heart rate data were collected using specialized sensors:
  • Polar Equine sensors for horses.
  • Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Sensors for children.
• Data were gathered during both mounted (riding) and unmounted (no riding) interactions.
• The synchronization was analyzed by comparing the heart rate patterns between the horses and the children.

Key Findings

• Evidence was found for mutual heart rate synchronization between horses and riders across sessions.
• Neurotypical, experienced riders showed high levels of heart rate synchronization from the onset, indicating that rider experience may enhance physiological connection with the horse.
• Children with ADHD, who were novice riders, initially showed lower synchronization but exhibited above-average synchronization by their fourth to sixth EAS session, indicating improvement with repeated therapy exposure.

Implications for Emotional Regulation and Therapy

• Heart rate synchronization may represent a physiological mechanism that contributes to emotional regulation during equine-assisted therapy.
• For children with ADHD, increasing synchronization may correlate with therapeutic improvements, suggesting the potential effectiveness of EAS in this population.
• The findings highlight the role of repeated sessions and rider experience in fostering deeper physiological and emotional connections with horses.

Contributions to the Field

• This study advances understanding of the physiological underpinnings—specifically heart rate synchronization—of EAS therapeutic effects.
• It supports the clinical relevance of EAS interventions for promoting emotional and physiological well-being, especially for children with neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD.
• The research encourages integration of physiological measures as objective indicators of therapeutic progress in EAS programs.

Recommendations for Future Research

• Further studies are needed to:
  • Explore the mechanisms that cause heart rate synchronization between humans and horses.
  • Assess the stability and consistency of synchronization patterns over time and with increased rider experience.
  • Determine how synchronization directly influences therapeutic outcomes and emotional regulation, especially in children with ADHD.
  • Investigate how different elements of EAS (e.g., mounted vs. unmounted activities) affect synchronization.
• Longitudinal studies could clarify whether ongoing synchronization predicts long-term benefits of EAS.