Health · Medical Research · 1 day ago
Horseback riding linked to reduced hyperactivity in children with autism
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz studied children with autism who also had another psychiatric diagnosis.
The study took place at a therapeutic riding center near Windham, Maine, and included three groups: children who rode horses, children who did horse-related activities without contact with horses, and children on a waitlist.
Children who rode horses had greater improvements in hyperactivity than those in the other groups.
Both groups taking part in horse-related activities showed improvements in irritability, emotional regulation and social functioning compared with the waitlist group.
The study was designed to check whether benefits seen in earlier research could be found at a different center.
The results suggest that horse-based programs may help some children as part of a broader approach to behavioral and emotional challenges, but they do not show that every child with autism will benefit.
The researchers say activities at a riding center without direct horse contact may be an option for children who are not ready or able to ride.
A study from the University of Colorado Anschutz found that children with autism and a co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis who took part in therapeutic horseback riding had greater improvements in hyperactivity than children in horse-related barn activities or on a waitlist.
Both riding and barn activities were linked to improvements in irritability, emotional regulation and social functioning compared with the waitlist group.
The study was designed to test whether earlier findings could be reproduced at a different riding center and whether horse-related activities without direct horse contact could provide similar benefits.
The research took place at Riding to the Top, a therapeutic riding center near Windham, Maine.
The researchers said horse-based activities may complement existing treatments, but noted that not every child with autism will benefit.
- Who
- Children with autism and a co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis; researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz
- What
- A study of therapeutic horseback riding and horse-related barn activities
- When
- Published October 10, 2026
- Where
- Riding to the Top, near Windham, Maine
- Why
- To test whether earlier findings could be replicated and whether horse-related activities without riding could also help
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
There is something about riding a horse that is particularly helpful for kids with hyperactivity
The fact that we saw similar results at both centers is encouraging.
That interaction can provide children with opportunities to practice communication, emotional regulation and other skills in a very different environment.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Research institution
- University of Colorado Anschutz
- Study location
- Riding to the Top, near Windham, Maine
- Study groups
- Horse riding, horse-related barn activities without horse contact, and a waitlist control group
- Publication
- Pediatrics
- Publication date
- October 10, 2026
Sources
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