title: Therapeutic effects of horseback riding therapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review examined the efficacy of hippotherapy or therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on motor outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases were searched for clinical trials of hippotherapy or THR for children with CP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine articles were included in this review. Although the current level of evidence is weak, our synthesis found that children with spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III, aged 4 years and above are likely to have significant improvements on gross motor function as a result of hippotherapy and THR. Evidence indicates that 45-min sessions, once weekly for 8-10 weeks, result in significant effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current literature on hippotherapy and THR is limited. Large randomized controlled trials using specified protocols are needed to more conclusively determine the effects on children with CP. From the current evidence, it appears that hippotherapy and THR have positive effects on gross motor function in children with CP.
authors: Division of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Medical Professions, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
authors: Cara N
authors: CN
authors: Whalen
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Case-Smith
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills; D012720:Severity of Illness Index