Changes in Motor Skill Proficiency After Equine-Assisted Activities and Brain-Building Tasks in Youth With Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Authors: Rigby B Rhett, Davis Ronald W, Bittner Melissa D, Harwell Robin W, Leek Eileen J, Johnson Geoben A, Nichols David L
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Youth with neurodevelopmental disorders often struggle with motor skill development, yet evidence supporting therapeutic interventions remains limited. Researchers evaluated 25 young people across a 32-week protocol incorporating equine-assisted activities (EAA) alone, combined EAA with brain-building tasks (the "GaitWay" intervention), and control periods, measuring motor proficiency using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 Short Form before and after each 8-week block. The combination intervention yielded the most substantial gains: overall motor scores improved significantly from baseline (32.4 to 39.1 points), with notable enhancements in manual dexterity, upper-limb coordination, and strength—the latter showing a 57% improvement after EAA alone and 62% after the combined intervention. Critically, seven participants who continued for an additional year maintained these motor skill improvements, suggesting lasting neuromotor adaptation rather than transient effects. For equine professionals working in therapeutic settings, this evidence validates the synergistic benefit of pairing ridden or ground-based work with structured cognitive engagement, offering a measurable framework for programme design and outcome documentation with neurodivergent populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •EAA combined with cognitive/brain-building tasks produces measurable, clinically meaningful improvements in motor skills in children with neurodevelopmental disorders—strength and coordination gains are sustained long-term
- •An 8-week EAA programme shows significant benefits for manual dexterity and upper-limb coordination; consider this evidence when designing or advocating for therapeutic riding programmes for paediatric populations
- •This is the first study documenting 1-year durability of combined EAA and cognitive intervention effects, making it valuable evidence for justifying ongoing therapeutic riding commitments to families and funders
Key Findings
- •Manual dexterity improved significantly after washout and GaitWay (EAA + brain-building) interventions compared to control (p = 0.018–0.037)
- •Upper-limb coordination was 54% higher post-GaitWay vs. post-control (6.0 vs. 3.9, p = 0.050)
- •Strength increased by 48–62% following EAA-only and GaitWay interventions compared to pre-control (p = 0.028 and 0.015)
- •Overall motor proficiency scores improved 21% post-GaitWay vs. pre-control (39.1 vs. 32.4, p = 0.003) and gains were maintained over 1 year in 7 participants