RESEARCH EVIDENCE
Here is some research evidence on the effects of
hippotherapy for people with movement disorders
that has been published in international scientific
journals and presented at international conferences:
Benda W, McGibbon NH, Grant KL (2003) Improvements in
muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after
equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy). Journal of
Alternative and Complementary Medicine 9 (6): 817-825
Casady RL, Nichols-Larsen DS (2004) 'The Effect of
Hippotherapy on Ten Children with Cerebral Palsy.'
Paediatric Physical Therapy, 16 (3), pp. 165-172.
Debuse D (2009) The preparation and schooling of horses
for hippotherapy and other areas within therapeutic riding.
13th International Congress of Therapeutic Riding, August
2009, Münster, Germany
Debuse D (2009) What outcomes of hippotherapy on
people with cerebral palsy should be measured? 13th
International Congress of Therapeutic Riding, August 2009,
Münster, Germany
Debuse D, Gibb C, Chandler C (2009) The effects of
hippotherapy on people with cerebral palsy from the users'
perspective: A qualitative study. Physiotherapy Theory and
Practice, 25 (4): 174-192
Debuse D (2007) Effectiveness of hippotherapy in different
countries: A perspective on factors contributing to the
quality of hippotherapy. FRDI Scientific and Educational
Journal. 10: 2-10
Debuse, D. (2006) An Exploration of the Effects of
Hippotherapy on People with Cerebral Palsy. PhD Thesis.
Northumbria University.
Debuse D, Gibb C, Chandler C (2006a) Hippotherapy, an
excellent opportunity for motor learning: A discussion of key
neuro-motor and psychological factors. 12th International
Congress in Therapeutic Riding, August 2006, Brasilia,
Brazil
Debuse D, Gibb C, Chandler C (2006b) A Physiotherapist +
A Horse ≠ Hippotherapy ? A discussion of aspects
contributing to the quality of hippotherapy. 12th International
Congress in Therapeutic Riding, August 2006, Brasilia,
Brazil
Debuse D, Chandler C, Gibb C (2005) An exploration of
German and British physiotherapists' views on the effects
of hippotherapy and their measurement. Physiotherapy
Theory and Practice, 21 (4): 219-242.
Debuse D, Gibb C, Candler C (2005) “Firstly it’s doing me
good, and secondly it’s fun”: An investigation into the
perception of hippotherapy by users with cerebral palsy.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Congress.
Birmingham, UK.
Debuse D (2003) An Exploration of German and UK
Physiotherapists’ Views on the Effects of Hippotherapy on
Patients with Cerebral Palsy and their Measurement. 11th
International Congress in Therapeutic Riding, May 2003,
Budapest, Hungary
Exner G, Engelmann A, Lange K, Wenck B (1994) Basic
principles and effects of hippotherapy within the
comprehensive treatment of paraplegic patients.
Rehabilitation 33 (1): 39-43 (German)
Graham S (1999) Equine Therapy for the Adult with
Multiple Sclerosis. FRDI Scientific and Educational Journal
of Therapeutic Riding, 5: 17-43.
Haehl V, Giuliani C, Lewis C (1999) Influence of
Hippotherapy on the Kinematics and Functional
Performance of Two Children with Cerebral Palsy. Pediatric
Physical Therapy, 11: 89-101.
Hammer, A., Nilsagard, Y., Forsberg, A., Pepa, H.,
Skargren, E. & Oberg, B. (2005) 'Evaluation of therapeutic
riding (Sweden)/hippotherapy (United States). A single-
subject experimental design study replicated in eleven
patients with multiple sclerosis', Physiotherapy Theory &
Practice, 21 (1): 51-77.
Hamill D, Washington K, White O (2007) Effect of
hippotherapy on postural control in sitting for children with
cerebral palsy. Physical and Occupational Therapy in
Pediatrics, 27 (4): 23-42
Heine B (1997) Hippotherapy. A multisystem approach to
the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Australian
Journal of Physiotherapy, 43 (2): 145-149.
Lechner H, Feldhaus S, Hegemannn D, Michel D, Zach
GA, Knecht H (2003) 'The short-term effect of hippotherapy on
spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury', Spinal Cord, 41: 502-
505.
Lechner H, Kakebeeke T, Hegemann D, Baumberger M (2007)
The Effect of Hippotherapy on Spasticity and on Mental Well-
Being of Persons With Spinal Cord Injury Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, 88 (10): 1241-1248
MacKinnon J, Noh S, Laliberte D, Lariviere J, Allen D (1995)
Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Review of the Literature.
Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 15 (1): 1-15.
McGibbon N, Andrade C, Widener G, Cintas H (1998) Effect of an
equine-movement therapy program on gait, energy expenditure,
and motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot
study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 40: 754-
762.
McGibbon N, Benda, W, Duncan BR, Silkwood-Sherer D (2009)
Effect of an equine movement therapy program on gait, energy
expenditure, and motor function in children with spastic cerebral
palsy: a pilot study. Archives of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, 90: 966-74
McGibbon, NH, Andrade CK Widener G, Cintas HL (1997) 'Effect
of Hippotherapy on Gait, Energy expenditure, and Gross Motor
Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy', Paediatric Physical
Therapy, 9 (4):754-762
Meregillano, G. (2004) 'Hippotherapy', Journal of Physical
Medicine And Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 15 (4): 843-
854, vii.
Murphy D, Kahn-D’Angelo L, Gleason J (2008) The Effect of
Hippotherapy on Functional Outcomes for Children with
Disabilities: A Pilot Study. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 20: 264-270
Riede, D (1986) Physiotherapy on the Horse. South Renton,
Delta Society.
Schirm A & Riede D (1998) Elektromyographische Messungen
am Rumpf während der Hippotherapie. 3rd European Congress in
Therapeutic Riding. Munich, Germany.
Schulz, M (1998) Remedial and Psychomotor Aspects of the
Human Movement and its Development ? A Theoretical Approach
to Developmental Riding. IN DKTHR (Ed.) Therapeutic Riding in
Germany- Selected Contributions.
Shurtleff T, Standeven J, Engsberg J (2009) Changes in Dynamic
Trunk/Head Stability and Functional Reach After Hippotherapy.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90 (7): 1185-
1195
Silkwood-Sherer D, Warmbier H (2007) Effects of Hippotherapy
on Postural Stability in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of
Neurological Physical Therapy, 31 (2):819-824
Snider L, Korner-Bitesnky N, Kammann C, Warner S, Saleh M
(2007) Horseback Riding as Therapy for Children with Cerebral
Palsy. Physical and occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 27 (2): 5-
23
Sterba, J. A. (2007) 'Does horseback riding therapy or therapist-
directed hippotherapy rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy?'
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49 (1): 68-73.
Sterba, J., Rogers, B., France, A. & Vokes, D. (2002) Horseback
riding in children with cerebral palsy: effect on gross motor
function. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 44 (5):
301-308.
Strauß I (2007) Hippotherapie - Physiotherapie mit und auf dem
Pferd, Stuttgart (4th edition). Stuttgart, Thieme.
Would J (2000) Research into the effects of hippotherapy on
improvements in walking ability of children with cerebral palsy.
10th International Congress for Therapeutic Riding. Angers,
France
Would J (2003) 'Effect of Hippotherapy on Weight Shift and
Balance During Functional Activities in Children with Cerebral
Palsy, Following a Course of Hippotherapy.' 11th International
Congress in Therapeutic Riding. Budapest, Hungary.