Equine-Assisted Therapies: Complementary Medicine Or Not?(Refereed PAPERS‪)‬

Animal-assisted therapy has been used for years to promote human well-being, and has been shown to improve outcomes for people with Autism-spectrum disorders, illnesses, behavioral problems, and poor emotional well-being (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). Equine-assisted therapies, the use of horses to promote development of skills and behaviors, are used internationally to complement medical intervention for individuals with many disabling conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, emotional disabilities and multiple sclerosis (American Hippotherapy Association, 2007; Debuse, Chandler, & Gibb, 2005; Hammer et al., 2005; North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, 2008; Pichon Riviere, Augustovski, & Colantonio, 2006; Riding for the Disabled Association, 2008; Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia, 2008). The recent film and book, The Horse Boy by Rupert Isaacson (2009) brings this approach into the public eye. Isaacson highlighted his son's affinity with horses and their potential to help him learn to make sense of his world as the family traveled to Mongolia to find help for Rowan's autism. Horseback riding and related activities using horses are believed to help people develop motor skills, balance, and muscle control; improve social, communication, and self-help skills; and improve psychological constructs such as self-esteem and well being (Brock, 1989; Casady & Nichols-Larsen, 2004; Macauley & Guterriez, 2004). The unique experience of working with a large animal can assist children and adults to work through fear, develop empathy, cooperate with others, and to develop self-confidence (Frewin & Gardiner, 2005). Although evidence is emerging to support these benefits, rigor in research addressing outcomes for children and adults has been lacking. As a result, many insurance companies in the United States consider equine-assisted activities experimental and will not fund them as interventions for individuals with disabilities (Aetna, 2008; Pichon Riviere et al., 2006).