A proposal for equine therapy intervention for children with ADHD from an animal protection perspective

Abstract

Horses are more and more considered and known for their therapeutic benefits, especially in the case of autistic kids. Indeed, research and investigations have found that equine therapy helps to significantly reduce autism symptoms in children. This work investigates the benefits of the contact with horses for a different audience: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in kids. An intervention methodology thought and defined to address specifically to children with ADAH has been analysed, studied and tested. This methodology is based on the practice of equine therapy associated with prosocial strategies and dynamics. Through a social justification, data that shows interest and needs for such a project, the first results after a test on a child with ADHD combined with an academic literature review, this article shows the evidence that the intervention methodology - that is to say the combination of equine therapy associated with prosocial strategies and dynamism - is found to be efficient and viable to reduce ADHD symptoms in children.