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Home / Equine Research Bank / Behav Sci (Basel) / Perceived Benefits and Barriers for Autistic Adults Accessin...
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)2026; 16(1); 84; doi: 10.3390/bs16010084

Perceived Benefits and Barriers for Autistic Adults Accessing Therapeutic Horse Riding for Mental Health.

Abstract: Therapeutic horse riding (THR) is a non-traditional intervention that may support mental well-being in individuals with autism spectrum conditions. Despite growing interest, most research has focused on children and has tended to privilege practitioner or caregiver perspectives, leaving autistic adults underrepresented. This qualitative study explores the psychological benefits and systemic barriers associated with THR among Autistic adults, drawing on perspectives from both clients and practitioners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Autistic clients and four practitioners, and the data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five overarching themes were constructed: Facing the Puissance: barriers to accessing THR, Pathways to Participation, Embodied Engagement, To Understand and To Be Understood, and Beyond the Arena-Impacts That Last. Participants described enjoyment, increased confidence, and a sense of achievement, with effects accumulating over time and often extending beyond the riding arena into daily life. Barriers included cost, accessibility, and limited availability of appropriately trained staff and facilities. These findings add to the limited evidence base on THR for Autistic adults by providing an in-depth, contextually grounded account of participants' experiences. They suggest that, for verbally fluent Autistic adults who choose to access THR in similar settings, THR can enhance well-being, self-agency, and relationship-building, whilst also revealing structural obstacles that restrict equitable access.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-07 PubMed ID: 41595025PubMed Central: PMC12837896DOI: 10.3390/bs16010084Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Therapeutic horse riding (THR) can provide mental health benefits such as increased confidence and a sense of achievement for autistic adults, but access is often limited by barriers like cost and availability of trained staff. This study explores both the benefits and challenges of THR through interviews with autistic adults and practitioners.

Research Purpose and Context

  • Investigate the psychological benefits and systemic barriers related to therapeutic horse riding (THR) for autistic adults.
  • Fill a gap in existing research which has primarily focused on children and caregiver/practitioner perspectives.
  • Include voices of verbally fluent autistic adults to provide a more direct account of their experiences.

Methodology

  • Qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews.
  • Participants included six autistic adults (clients) and four THR practitioners.
  • Data analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis, a method that iteratively generates themes based on participants’ narratives.

Key Themes Identified

  • Facing the Puissance: Barriers to Accessing THR
    • Challenges such as the high cost of programs and sessions.
    • Physical and logistical accessibility issues for venues and horses.
    • Limited availability of staff trained specifically to work with autistic adults.
  • Pathways to Participation
    • How autistic adults find and engage with THR, including referral processes and personal motivation.
    • Factors influencing the decision to participate and sustained involvement over time.
  • Embodied Engagement
    • The experience of riding is not just physical but deeply sensory and emotional.
    • Connection with the horse allows for unique forms of communication and presence.
  • To Understand and To Be Understood
    • THR facilitates mutual understanding between autistic adults and practitioners through nonverbal and empathetic interactions.
    • Supports development of social and emotional skills in a non-judgmental environment.
  • Beyond the Arena – Impacts That Last
    • Observed benefits extend beyond riding sessions into daily life, such as improved self-confidence and emotional regulation.
    • Participants reported a lasting positive effect on well-being and a sense of personal agency.

Implications and Conclusions

  • THR offers meaningful mental health benefits to verbally fluent autistic adults who choose to participate.
  • The therapy promotes well-being, self-agency, and relationship building both during and beyond the riding sessions.
  • Structural barriers such as cost, accessibility, and limited trained personnel restrict widespread equitable access to THR.
  • Findings highlight the need for expanded resources and tailored approaches to make THR more inclusive for autistic adults.
  • The study contributes important first-hand perspectives, enriching the currently limited research on THR in adult autism populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Brumpton HL, Kargas N. (2026). Perceived Benefits and Barriers for Autistic Adults Accessing Therapeutic Horse Riding for Mental Health. Behav Sci (Basel), 16(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16010084

Publication

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-328X
NlmUniqueID: 101576826
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
PII: 84

Researcher Affiliations

Brumpton, Hannah Louise
  • School of Psychology Sport Science & Wellbeing, College of Health and Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
Kargas, Niko
  • School of Psychology Sport Science & Wellbeing, College of Health and Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
  • Department of Cognitive Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.

Conflict of Interest Statement

H.L.B. has a professional relationship at the centre where participants were recruited from.

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