# Benefits of horseback riding for neurotypical children and adolescents: a scoping review

## TL;DR

This review examines how horseback riding may benefit the language, cognition, social skills, and emotions of neurotypical children and adolescents.

## Contribution

A scoping review identifying six eligible studies on the effects of horse riding in typically developing children and adolescents.

## Key findings

- Non-randomized studies showed significant improvements in cognitive functions and emotional and behavioral aspects.
- Randomized studies found significant gains in social competence.
- Six studies met the inclusion criteria after a comprehensive search and screening process.

## Abstract

To investigate evidence of horse riding in the development of language, cognition, social, emotional, and behavioral aspects in neurotypical children and adolescents.

Search in the databases of LILACS, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and grey literature, without date or language restrictions. Registration in the Open Science Framework (OSF), under number DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/32ETZ. For search strategies: “Equine-Assisted Therapy”, “Child or Adolescent Development”, Cognition, Socialization, and “Child Behavior”.

Randomized clinical trials and non-randomized experimental before-and-after studies, case series, and prospective observational studies of neurotypically developing people up to 18 years old. Studies with people with disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders were excluded. Interventions researched: horse riding and animal-assisted therapy.

Two judges identified primary studies independently by reading the titles and abstracts, considering the inclusion criteria; a third judge was consulted to resolve divergences. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I and ROBINS 2 tools.

Altogether, 131 studies were obtained, and duplicates (27) were removed. Subsequently, 104 studies were analyzed and 77 were excluded. Of the 27 studies evaluated in full text, 21 were excluded. Six studies were eligible for this review – four non-randomized clinical studies and two randomized clinical trials.

The non-randomized studies showed significant improvements in cognitive functions and behavioral and emotional aspects. The randomized studies, on the other hand, found significant gains in social competence.

investigar evidências da equitação no desenvolvimento de linguagem, cognição, aspectos sociais, emocionais e comportamentais em crianças e adolescentes neurotípicos.

Consulta nas bases de dados da Lilacs, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus e literatura cinzenta, sem restrições de data ou idioma. Registro na plataforma Open Science Framework (OSF), sob número: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/32ETZ. Para estratégias de busca: “Equine-Assisted Therapy”, “Child or Adolescent Development", Cognition, Socialization e "Child Behavior”.

Ensaios clínicos randomizados e estudos experimentais não randomizados de antes e depois, série de casos e observacionais prospectivos de pessoas com desenvolvimento neurotípico com até 18 anos de idade. Excluídos os estudos com pessoas com deficiência e transtornos do neurodesenvolvimento.

Equitação e terapia assistida por animais. Análise dos dados: A identificação de estudos primários foi realizada por dois juízes de forma independente, por meio de leitura dos títulos e resumos baseada nos critérios de inclusão e um terceiro juiz era consultado para caso de desempate. O risco de viés foi avaliado pelas ferramentas ROBINS-I e a ROBINS-2.

Foram obtidos 131 estudos, sendo removidos os duplicados (27). Em seguida, 104 estudos foram analisados e 77 excluídos. Dos 27 estudos avaliados integralmente, 21 foram excluídos. Seis estudos foram elegíveis para esta revisão, sendo quatro estudos clínicos não randomizados e dois ensaios clínicos randomizados.

Os estudos não randomizados apontaram melhoras significativas quanto às funções cognitivas, aspectos comportamentais e emocionais. Já os estudos randomizados, encontraram ganhos significativos quanto à competência social.