Equine Therapy Case Study

Interventions involving ponies can be hugely beneficial for those diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum or with ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder). So, how can horses help?

Equines connect uniquely with people who respond to their environment in unique ways, making sense of it all without any barriers to communication.

One of our regular visitors is a young child who is Autistic and has ADHD. She is also diagnosed with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). That’s a lot for one small person to manage. She may find it difficult to follow instructions or navigate social situations in the way we expect or take for granted. We see it as things simply getting lost in translation sometimes. Who’s to say we are being explicit enough, or that our instructions will bring about the best outcome? Children and horses are often better communicators than we give them credit for.

When she is around the ponies, she often touches their neck, and you can sense a connection that goes beyond what the rest of us can perceive. She never seems surprised or inconvenienced if the horses do something different from what we asked. It’s as though she understands that not everyone processes instructions in the same way, and that’s okay.

“Don’t worry, she’s just a horse,” she once said about Chelsea Girl, who preferred to munch on some grass rather than obediently walk forward, while I felt vaguely frustrated that my horse was "refusing" to obey. The child and the horse were happy to simply stand together in the same space and communicate silently. I’ve never felt awkward about my horses’ behavior since; it’s always an opportunity to see how they respond to a visitor. And now, I can see that they are indeed responding.

She questions everything, making you realize how little we often explain things properly to children; we assume we’re being clear. She, on the other hand, is very clear in her instructions and ensures we carry them out accurately.

When we do a light review at the end of the sessions, her insights are extraordinary and charming. One of her recent reflections after our horsey sports day was, “I didn’t know horses could do hopscotch.” You probably had to be there, but it was a lovely moment. She was busy making rosettes for the horses’ efforts, ensuring each one was awarded something. She has a unique sense of fairness and justice, deliberating over such matters in detail.

Horses ground people; they regulate them in the moment, which is why they allow people with particular diagnoses or labels to simply be themselves. They help lower energy and anxiety levels, creating space for the magic to happen. This little girl believes (as do we) that horses can grant wishes and that they are all unicorns in disguise. Who’s to say this isn’t the case?

Her application form mentioned that she talks a lot; she certainly has plenty to say, and we are happy to listen. The horses are helping us process this together—it’s a brilliant learning journey in a healthy, non-judgmental environment that helps us all breathe a bit more freely.

This child is also dyslexic, something we often forget can impact so many situations that an individual needs to access safely and with support. But recently, when I asked her what she thought she had done best in the session, she replied, “Horses.”

Understood.