Child horse harmony in motion: a preliminary study to explore heart rate synchronization in equine assisted therapy for neurotypical and ADHD children.
Abstract: Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) encompass a range of therapeutic interventions utilizing equine interactions to achieve therapeutic goals. This study explores heart rate synchronization between horses and riders during mounted and unmounted interactions, focusing on its potential implications for emotional regulation. A total of 25 participants aged 6-12 took part in the study, which included two groups: novice riders diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (n = 15) and experienced neurotypical riders (n = 10). Heart rate measurements were obtained using Polar Equine and Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Sensors. Results indicate mutual heart rate synchronization between horses and riders, suggesting a potential mechanism for emotional regulation. The neurotypical group showed high levels of synchronization, suggesting that rider experience influences the physiological connection between horse and rider., while notably, children with ADHD demonstrated above-average synchronization by their fourth to sixth EAS session. These findings underscore the significance of EAS in promoting physiological and emotional well-being, particularly for individuals with ADHD. This study contributes to the understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying therapeutic effect of EAS interventions and highlights their potential in clinical practice. Further research is needed to examine the mechanisms, stability, and therapeutic significance of horse-human physiological synchronization over time, including how synchronization patterns evolve with rider experience and influence therapeutic outcomes in children with ADHD.
© 2025. The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2025-11-25 PubMed ID: 41290915PubMed Central: PMC12749377DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-29330-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Helmer A, Hacohen A, Bart O.
(2025).
Child horse harmony in motion: a preliminary study to explore heart rate synchronization in equine assisted therapy for neurotypical and ADHD children.
Sci Rep, 15(1), 45312.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-29330-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Science, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Mount Judea stables, Tzur Hadassa, Israel.
- The Taub Faculty of Computer Science, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Science, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. oritbert@tauex.tau.ac.il.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Child
- Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
- Animals
- Male
- Horses
- Female
- Emotions / physiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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