BENEFITS OF HIPPOTHERAPY ON SENSORY AND MOTOR DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Children with disabilities often experience challenges in sensory processing and motor development. Hippotherapy, which integrates horse movement into therapy, has shown potential to address these difficulties. The study objectives are to examine the effects of hippotherapy on sensory processing and motor development in children with disabilities, and to explore the association between these two domains. A retrospective study was conducted with 30 children undergoing hippotherapy at A.I.A Hippotherapy Centre, Selangor. Participants received 24 weekly sessions over six months. Sensory processing was assessed using the Sensory Profile 2 (parent-reported) and the Hippotherapy Evaluation and Assessment Tool (HEAT). Motor development was evaluated with HEAT. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared using paired t-tests, and correlations were examined with Spearman’s rank test. Sensory processing scores increased significantly from pre-therapy (M = 4.67, SD = 3.13) to post-therapy (M = 12.10, SD = 3.39; p < .001; Cohen’s d = 3.32). Motor development also improved significantly (M = 19.20, SD = 8.22 to M = 39.37, SD = 10.16; p < .001; Cohen’s d = 2.92). A strong positive correlation was observed between sensory processing and motor development post-intervention (r = .760, p = .001). Hippotherapy produced significant improvements in both sensory processing and motor development in children with disabilities, with strong evidence of sensory–motor integration. These findings highlight hippotherapy as a valuable occupational therapy intervention. Further controlled studies with larger samples are recommended.