Effects of a therapeutic riding program on at-risk and special education children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of a therapeutic riding program on psychosocial measurements among children considered at risk for poor performance or failure in school or life and among children in special education programs.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
17 at-risk children (6 boys and 11 girls) and 14 special education children (7 boys and 7 girls).


METHODS
For the at-risk children, anger, anxiety, perceived self-competence, and physical coordination were assessed. For the special education children, anger and cheerfulness were measured, and the children's and their mothers' perceptions of the children's behavior were assessed. Measurements were made before and after an 8-session therapeutic riding program.


RESULTS
For boys enrolled in the special education program, anger was significantly decreased after completion of the riding program. The boys' mothers also perceived significant improvements in their children's behavior after completion of the program.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that an 8-session therapeutic riding program can significantly decrease anger in adolescent boys in a special education program and positively affect their mothers' perception of the boys' behavior.
Kaiser
Lana
L
Human-Animal Bond Initiative, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Smith
Katharine Ann
KA
Heleski
Camie R
CR
Spence
Linda J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000786:Anger; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011998:Recreation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*