How Many Kids Are Affected Each Year by Equine Therapy?

Equine-assisted therapy benefits special needs individuals with activities that include hippotherapy (literally, horse therapy), therapeutic riding and driving, interactive vaulting off horseback and equine-facilitated psychotherapy. Begun in 1969, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) works to provide accredited riding and psychotherapy centers plus a certification process for equine therapy instructors throughout the United States and Canada. According to 2008 NARHA statistics, there are currently 782 accredited therapeutic riding centers in North America and 3,610 certified riding and driving instructors.

  1. Statistics

    • The statistics for the NARHA posted in their latest fact sheet show that 40,308 handicapped children and adults participated in certified equine therapy programs in 2008. This includes individuals with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, visual and hearing impairment, Down syndrome, autism and mental retardation, multiple sclerosis and spinal bifida. Other disabilities helped by equine assisted therapy are brain and spinal cord injuries, emotional and learning disabilities, amputations and attention deficit disorder. People affected by cardiovascular accident or stroke also benefited from the therapy.

      More than 1,500 health professionals, including social workers, physical therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists, medical doctors and registered nurses, work at centers throughout North America to provide ample medical care for all participants.

      The majority of children (around 23,000) in equine therapy are between the ages of 6 and 18. Approximately 5,000 children from 2 to 5 years of age ride therapy horses and almost 7,000 adults from 19 to 50 years of age are in equine therapy programs. In addition, approximately 1,600 adults over the age of 50 ride horses in a therapeutic environment.

      Current data show that 1,258 children with speech, visual and hearing problems are enrolled in equine therapy programs, and 764 riding participants have cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy and are working to improve balance issues. Almost 1,650 children and adults with Down syndrome, mental retardation and developmental delays or disabilities ride in therapy programs. Approximately 1,200 children and young adults with autism and learning disabilities use equine therapy to learn to relate to others and 423 people with orthopedic and spinal cord injuries ride horses to improve coordination and balance.

      There are 862 children with emotional and behavioral problems, substance abuse and other psychological issues who use therapeutic horseback riding to relieve stress and develop emotional ties with another living creature. There are 741 amputees, brain trauma patients and people with paralysis who ride in therapy programs to improve muscle coordination and balance.