5 ways horse-riding can benefit children with autism

For children with autism, life can sometimes be difficult, as they'll often have to overcome social and communication issues on a daily basis. While behavioural, speech, and occupational therapies can help your children when they're struggling, equine-assisted activities and therapies (EEAT) can offer them support, too. Here, Sean Whiting, Director of Houghton Country discusses the benefits of horse-riding for children with autism.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that can have an impact on all aspects of your child's life, from their behaviour to their social skills and ability to communicate properly. So, it's important that they're getting the help and support they need. However, statistics have shown that 63% of children on the autism spectrum don't go to a school that their parents believe would be best for them, with 17% of these children eventually being suspended from (National Autistic Society).

Fortunately, there are some ways in which you can help your child through therapeutic activities that are known to help those with autism. And, horse-riding classes fit into this category. These can reduce irritability and hyperactivity, as well as improve communication. Here, I'll be discussing these benefits in more detail.

It builds an emotional bond
For many children with autism, their communication issues can mean they struggle to form social bonds. This can often mean they find it difficult to make eye contact or express their feelings to anybody, including their own family.

Although horse-riding and EEATs don't necessarily focus on getting the child to verbally communicate with the horses, they will experience physical communication when they learn to care for the horse. For example, hugging, brushing, and patting the horses can help your child to associate these feelings and acts of care with affection, helping them to develop emotional bonds. This may then be transferable to their interactions with other people, including friends and family members.

There are sensory benefits
Children with autism may experience issues with sensory processing, and horse-riding can have a positive impact on all aspects from visual and authority to scent and movement (European Scientific Journal).

When your child goes horse-riding, their balance and spatial orientation will be tested, as they will have to keep themselves upright while riding. Their senses will be activated by changes in the rhythm, speed and incline that the horse is travelling at, so getting them to do many different tracks will be beneficial.

Reduces irritability and improves mood
Not being able to properly express yourself can be frustrating for anybody but, when it is part of your child's daily life, it can cause behavioural problems and irritability. And, with a study from researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus finding that horse-riding could significantly reduce irritability both immediately and in the long-term, it's clear that there can be some great improvements to be had.

Many children with autism will struggle with events outside of their normal routine, which you might experience when trying to get them involved with the therapy in the first place. But, as horses themselves tend to prefer having a routine, your child may feel more comfortable with them.

Controls and calms hyperactivity
Children with autism can share symptoms of those with ADHD, with hypersensitivity being one of the most prevalent ones in the diagnosis of autism. This means that a lot of young people with this disorder find it hard to delay their reactions or give their full attention to a task.

Horse-riding will not only help your child to focus on the task at hand but, because it is a physical activity, they're more likely to want to engage with it. Alongside this, the rhythmic experience of horse-riding can soothe your child and relieve them of their frustration. Plus, as horses tend to have calmer temperaments and make slower and steadier movements than other therapy animals, they are less likely to move in unpredictable ways that could work your child up.

​Improves word fluency and language skills​
Although it depends on their individual cognitive and social development, some children with ASD can have difficulty developing their language skills. In fact, some children with the disorder may not be able to communicate with words at all, while others will have very limited speech and might struggle with the meaning of words and forming sentence structures.

In horse-riding therapies, your child will be given the opportunity to practise their communication and language skills, from talking to the supervisors about how they're grooming and caring for the horse, to giving the animal direct instructions. When your child does the latter and the horse follows, this is likely to give your child a sense of accomplishment and make them more enthusiastic about trying to communicate. Not only will this show them the importance and effectiveness of verbal communication, but it'll give them a blueprint for forming friendships in real life, too.

Living with autism can have its challenges, but horse-riding can help to alleviate some of the symptoms. From creating a mood-boosting experience to helping them to overcome developmental difficulties they may be faced with, working alongside horses is bound to benefit them in some way. 

Our friends at Houghton Country are offering a first time discount ot ALL Forces Equine Members. This will be launched in our members area shortly.