Focus on Some Basic Criteria for an Objective Therapeutic Riding Evaluation Application and Results in Subjects Affected by Extrapyramidal Disorders 2001

In order to conduct an objective assessment of the effects of Therapeutic Riding (TR) in subjects (S) affected by Neuromotor Disorders we propose 3 evaluation tools:

1) administration of a scientific protocol for a quantitative assessment of the effects on horseback and on the ground ofTR;

2) definition of”TR time.” This is the time required to stabilize the positive effects obtained by an activity on horseback (“TR time on horseback”) and on the ground (“TR time on the ground”); it is used to define the useful duration ofTR;

3) assessment of the “Ground/Horseback effect ratio” (Index G/H) in order to establish “the maintenance index on the ground” because the real target ofTR, as of any rehabilitation, is the long-term mainte- nance of the positive effect observed in the health-care setting.

* Institute of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, University of Florence, Italy. Mailing Address: Cattedra di Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Dipartimento di Scienze Neuroligiche e Psichiatriche, Policlinico di Careggi, Viale Morgagm 85,50134 Florence Italy; phone number: 0039-55-4298431; 4278254; fax number: 0039-55- 4298432