Physical benefits of riding therapy for autistic children

This post aims to explain physical difficulties some autistic children have and how riding therapy could help them.

Fine motor deficits
Autistic children frequently show developmental delays in developing fine motor skills. They often have difficulties with tasks such as fastening buttons.

Gross motor deficits.
Autistic children commonly have difficulty walking naturally. They can also have low tone which makes them appear to be floppy and clumsy.They may lack awareness of where their bodies are in relation to their surroundings (Reynolds, & Dombeck, 2006).

-How will riding therapy help enhance physical function?

Riding improves balance: The horse provides a comfortable base of support upon which a person who is unstable on his/her own legs can learn to balance. Changes in the horse's movement, direction or pace challenges the rider's balance.

Riding improves muscle strength: Many activities on or associated with the horse can be used to promote strength and endurance.

Riding improves co-ordination skills: Horse riding involves the co-ordination of every part of the body. On a horse, postural background and gross motor skills are emphasised in support of refining fine motor and other skills.

Riding is good exercise: Riding involves all of the muscles of the body and in addition stimulates all the body systems. It can also be a relaxing activity as it is an enjoyable activity that encourages active muscle work and deep breathing.

Riding normalises low muscle tone: The strong dynamic movement of the horse provides proprioceptive and vestibular input that effectively facilitates an increase in low muscle tone.

Riding improves posture: Horse riding gives symmetrical exercise to the body in response to the horse's movement. Muscles on either side of the spine are exercised equally promoting good postural alignment.

Riding can improve a persons walking ability: The movement of the horse causes the rider's pelvis, trunk and shoulder girdle to react in ways very similar to those produced by the human walk. The horse is also invaluable in providing the feeling of proper stride length (New Zealand riding for the disabled, 2009).

Reynolds., & Dombeck, M. (2006). physical deficits autism. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8766.

New Zealand riding for the disabled, (2009). riding for the disabled. Retrieved from http://www.rda.org.nz.