Riding Towards Improved Outcomes: Caregivers Perceptions of the Impact of Therapeutic Riding on Children with Autism. A pilot study

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may experience social challenges and behaviors that can have a significant impact on their quality of life and how they function within their environment. Equine-assisted therapy has been shown to have positive effects on children with ASD and can foster a sense of connection and encourage self-expression through interaction with their equine partner. This study assessed caregivers’ perceived effectiveness of Therapeutic Riding (TR), a type of equine-assisted therapy, for children with ASD. Caregivers were asked to reflect on behavioral, social, sensory, confidence, and activities of daily living changes that have occurred since their children first began TR, using a quasi-experimental survey design, from January to February 2025. We hypothesized that caregivers would perceive positive outcomes in all domains. Seventeen caregivers responded to the survey, with the most notable improvements reported in the areas of behavior (88%), self-control (82%), sensory processing (76.5%), social communication (82.4%), independence in daily activities (64.7%), confidence at home (76.4%), and when trying new things (82.4%). However, this study was significantly limited by the nature of quasi-experimental designs (i.e., no control group for comparison) and the lack of a standardized measurement tool. These findings suggest that TR may be used as a promising intervention to improve outcomes in children with ASD, but future research is needed.