Evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic horse riding for children and young people experiencing disability: a single-case experimental design study.

The research article investigates whether therapeutic horse riding can improve the health of children and young people with disabilities, particularly in terms of social participation and overall quality of life.

Research Design

The authors designed a quantitative study following a ‘single-case experimental design’. The sample of participants in the study included 12 individuals who experienced a variety of disabilities. The study was carried out over a 20-week period, during which the participants engaged in therapeutic horse riding sessions. The ‘single-case’ nature of the design indicates that each participant was individually monitored and evaluated over the course of the study.

Measurement and Findings

Various outcomes were measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy:

• Rider balance and functional performance
• Social responsiveness
• Quality of life
• Social participation outcomes

The most positive changes were found in social participation outcomes as measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. While the study found a potential causal relationship between therapeutic horse riding and improved health in three of the participants, only two participants showed improvements significant enough to be considered clinically significant.

Implications of the Study

The findings suggest that therapeutic horse riding may contribute to an increase in social participation in riders with disabilities, extending to their broader community, home and school settings. The authors also suggest that rider self-concept development might be a catalyst for these changes in participation levels. The study, however, did not discover any significant similarities when comparing riders with physical impairments to those with psychosocial impairments.

Recommendations for Future Research

The authors suggest further research in order to enhance the effects of therapeutic horse riding. By understanding how individual rider responses can influence treatment outcomes, the researchers suggest that it may be possible to more effectively tailor interventions in the future.