National Institute of Nursing Research

Hi readers,

As you know, the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center works with children and adults with special needs through therapeutic horseback rid

ing. Starting in 2007, the Children’s Hospital worked with CTRC to examine the effects and benefits of Therapeutic Riding for children diagnosed along the autism spectrum. The study of 41 children between the ages of 6 to 16 showed extreme improvements in motor control, expressive language, hyperactivity, irritability, lethargy, and other behaviors within two years.

In 2010 The National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health awarded Children's Hospital Denver, University or Colorado Denver and CTRC a grant continue the study but on a grander scale. Specifically, the study will focus on the short term and long term effects of Therapeutic Riding on children diagnosed along the autism spectrum with a control group over 4 years. A detailed discretion of the results can be found at
http://www.ctrcinc.org/programs/PDF/IMFAR2010.pdf. The results were shared at the International Meeting for Autism Research.

The National Institute of Nursing Research conducts studies and is based around creating the best possible life for individuals with disabilities or other illnesses as well as reducing the risk of diseases. More information about the NINR here: http://www.ninr.nih.gov/AboutNINR/.

For further questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email Amy Shoffner, the Community Site Director and NARHA Advanced Instructor at Amy@CTRCinc.org or leave a comment below!