Riding and other activities with horses can help adults and children with the balance, gait, and psychomotor disorders that are hallmarks of multiple sclerosis, according to review of 16 studies.
The review, “Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” was published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Physical activities that use a horse as a therapeutic tool “are clearly a viable intervention option for participants with impairments in balance, gross and fine motor function, gait, spasticity, and coordination,” Alexandra N. Stergiou of the Medical School of Ioannina, Greece, said in a news release.
More research is needed to demonstrate the clinical benefits of equine-assisted activities and therapies, Stergiou and her colleagues wrote.
The researchers searched for published studies of the benefits that patients with MS and other movement disorders derived from riding and hippotherapy, or using the movement of horses as therapy. The 16 articles covered improvements in balance, motor function, gait, muscle symmetry, pelvic movement, psychosocial health, and quality of life.
Eight studies evaluated equine-assisted therapies’ impact on 434 children with cerebral palsy. Four assessed horse-related therapies’ ability to improve mobility in 90 older adults with multiple health problems and disabilities. Three studies focused on 52 patients with multiple sclerosis. And one study evaluated the use of hippotherapy in 20 patients who had suffered a stroke.
Most of the studies found that riding and hippotherapy helped patients with balance, gross motor function, gait, posture, pelvic movement, and quality of life.
Eight showed that riding and hippotherapy improved patients’ scores in both the Berg Balance Scale and the Gross Motor Function Measure, widely used measurements of balance and gross motor function.
“The evidence for therapeutic riding and hippotherapy is encouraging, but with gaps in that there are very few studies of these interventions in the international literature,” Stergiou said.
A limitation besides the small sample size was that the research used different measurements to assess patient benefits.
More studies are needed to confirm the results and assess how horseback riding affects patients’ daily activity levels, self-competence, and other measures of well-being.
“Equine-assisted therapies potentially provide advantage for cognitive, emotional, and social well-being,” the team wrote. “Individuals who participate have the opportunity to simultaneously experience, benefit and enjoy the outdoors, which might not otherwise be readily available.”
Hi, I like the idea of horseback riding for my MS problems mentioned in the above text. Is there a program (close to Montreal) in the province of Quebec, Canada, that has been put in place for people like us. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read & respond to my inquiry.
Regards,
Lynda
expect when you get off the horse. I am very weak on my left leg. I tried horse therapy and fracture my foot and twisted my ankle. won’t do that again!
I am very weak on my left leg. I tried horse therapy. fractured my foot and sprained my foot. will not do it again
Is the a horse therapy location near Beaverton, Oregon?
I teach horsebackriding lessons in south Pasadena in California at a barn called San pascual stables . If anyone is in the area my aunt referred me to this page who has ms. 626 627 8208 !
-Jordan lee
I have MS and volunteer at a barn in west Houston that does therapeutic riding. I myself have not done any lessons yet but I have spent the last 1.5 years watching what a profound impact riding can have on all kinds of disabilities. And if you can find a PATH certified facility, I highly recommend looking into it.
Equine Therapy is the best for my MS. I am still riding and sometimes just the smell of the horse is all I need! I am very fortunate to own my own horses and highly recommend anyone with MS to give it a try. Everything can be modified to one’s individual needs. ❤️
Hi I have Relapsing MS,and I just moved to Alabama the first of December in 2018, January the 7th would make a year that I lost my husband, I have moved to Alabama to be close to my sister and brother, as I was by myself in Florida I was wondering if the horse back riding for MS would be here in Alabama, I live inorgon Co Alabama. Thank you.