Research

This pilot study explored the impact of an 8-week equine-assisted social-emotional learning program for middle school students. Results showed significant improvements in students’ social-emotional skills, as reported by parents and teachers after completing the program. The findings highlight the powerful role experiential learning with horses can play in strengthening confidence, resilience, and social-emotional development in youth.

April 1, 2026

Sarah Matlock, Daniel Birmingham, Tamara Merritt, Ann Hess, Sarah Jean Reega, and B. Caitlin Peters

This randomized control trial (RCT) assessed the mechanisms underlying Therapeutic Horseback Riding’s (THR) previously observed significant positive effects on ASD youth, particularly those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and to refine information on the durability, dose and sub-population effects of the intervention.

2020-2025

Robin Gabriels Psy.D., Professor
Principal Investigator, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

This paper outlines best practices for measuring physiological responses in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during a 10-week therapeutic horseback riding program. It emphasizes using motivation strategies, securing devices properly, and prioritizing specific heart rate variability and electrodermal activity analyses to improve data quality. Additionally, the paper highlights the importance of a well-structured data monitoring team to enhance research in equine-assisted services.

April 1, 2025

Cory M. Smith, Katharine Weimannb, Madison Widick, Tamara Merritt, Hannah Christensend, Matthew Siegel, Zhaoxing Panb, Robin L. Gabriels

Behavioral and Physiological Indicators of Stress in Horses During an Equine-Assisted Learning Program for Youth with a History of Trauma

February 2025

Sarah K. Matlock, Ashley Singh, Temple Grandin, Tamara Merritt, Terry Nett, Sarah Jean Reega, B. Caitlin Peters

The Feasibility of Occupational Therapy Using Zones of Regulation™ Concepts in an Equine Environment

Frontiers in Psychiatry, September 2024

This research study aimed to assess the feasibility of a modified intervention protocol named “Occupational Therapy using Zones of Regulation Concepts in an Equine Environment” (OT-ZOR Equine). All the participants’ caregivers and occupational therapists rated being satisfied or very satisfied with the OT-ZOR Equine intervention, and youth demonstrated improved self-regulation following participation.

Riding in the Moment™ Implementation Manual and Curriculum (2023)

Equine-assisted services centers, practitioners, therapists and community members interested in learning more about our Riding in the Moment™ program can now purchase our Riding in the Moment™ Implementation Manual and Curriculum.

This literature was created in collaboration with Dr. Beth Fields, Principal Investigator of the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hearts & Horses receives 50% of the profits from all sales!

Advancing Research in Equine-Assisted Services

PATH Intl. Strides Magazine, Winter 2022

The Temple Grandin Equine Center (TGEC) is an initiative at Colorado State University focused on integrating education and research in equine-assisted services. In 2015, TGEC launched a partnership with Hearts & Horses to study our Riding in the Moment™ program for people living with dementia.

This program of research was primarily led by Drs. Beth Fields and Rebecca Lassell as they were pursuing their Ph.D. degrees at TGEC. Fields’ dissertation research found that Riding in the Moment participants were significantly more likely to have positive quality of life experiences during activities involving horses in comparison to other activities in their living facility.

Feasibility of an Adaptive Riding Pilot Study and Acceptability to Dementia Care Partners: “Your Spirits Are Lifted”

Complementary Therapies in Medicine, December 2022

This feasibility study looked at our Riding in the Moment™ program for adults with dementia and a comparison group that did gardening activities. The study found that both Riding in the Moment™ and adaptive gardening were acceptable to caregivers as complementary, nature-based therapies, meaning that they were satisfied with the programs and wanted to continue participating.

Self-Regulation Mediates Therapeutic Horseback Riding Social Functioning Outcomes in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Frontiers In Pediatrics, June 2022

Emerging evidence suggests therapeutic riding improves self-regulation behaviors, social functioning, and language in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been theorized that interacting with horses is calming for youth with ASD, which may influence social and language outcomes. This paper provides support for the hypothesis that interacting with horses may have a calming effect and improve social outcomes in youth with autism.

Dementia Care Partners’ Reported Outcomes After Adaptive Riding: A Theoretical Thematic Analysis

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, June 2022

This case study explores our Riding in the Moment™ program for persons living with dementia by examining caregivers’ reported outcomes. Persons living with dementia and their care partners were recruited in Northern Colorado; after meeting inclusion criteria, they were invited to participate in our adaptive riding program for weekly, hour-long sessions for eight weeks.

The results showed that caregivers felt the program was suitable and beneficial. They reported improvements in three areas: well-being, social connections, and daily functioning.

Advancing The Science and Practice of Equine-Assisted Services Through Community-Academic Partnerships

Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 2021

This paper discusses the importance of community-academic partnerships in advancing research on equine-assisted services. It describes five guiding principles for successful partnerships: identifying the partnership model, honoring different partners’ agendas, fostering an interdisciplinary approach, involving an iterative dialogic process, and using evaluation strategies that benefit both partners. The authors provide examples of how these principles can be applied in practice using the example of our Riding in the Moment™ program.

Changing Leads: Building a Full Day School Program for Youth at Risk

PATH Intl. Strides Magazine, Fall 2021

Changing Leads is designed to help youth who have experienced great hardship find friendship, develop trust and form deep connections by partnering with a horse. School-based Changing Leads classes are designed to engage middle schoolers in social-emotional learning (SEL). Each week, students engage in different activities that focus on a certain theme within SEL. Learn more about our Changing Leads program and objectives in this article from STRIDES magazine.

Equine-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Military Veterans: An Open Trial

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, August 2021

As Veterans have high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and historically poor treatment outcomes and high attrition, alternative treatments have gained much popularity. in this study, our equine-assisted therapy for PTSD (EAT-PTSD) program was tested in an open trial to assess its preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes for military veterans.

The study revealed that EAT-PTSD shows promise as a potential new intervention for veterans with PTSD. These preliminary results encourage examination of EAT-PTSD in larger, randomized controlled trials.

Comparison of Quality of Life Indicators During Two Complementary Interventions: Adaptive Gardening and Adaptive Riding for People With Dementia

Complementary Therapies In Medicine, March 2021

This was the first study to compare adaptive gardening and adaptive riding for people living with dementia. Both positively shaped quality of life through participants’ observed emotional experiences and participation. Adaptive riding seemed to offer greater opportunities for active and more complex forms of participation and may utilize a person’s retained capacities at a higher level.

The Feasibility and Acceptability of Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, February 2021

This study illustrated that equine-assisted services for youth with autism spectrum disorder is practical to implement and well-received by both caregivers and instructors. It used a structured plan to guide the therapy sessions and measured various aspects to ensure it was working well. Most participants attended their sessions, and the therapists followed the intervention protocols closely.

Parental Perspectives of Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Occupational Therapy in Health Care, April 2020

This study measured parental perspectives on equine-assisted therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It found that equine-assisted therapy improved the occupational performance, social motivation, social communication, and self-regulation of some children with ASD. Overall, parents found the intervention to be appropriate and acceptable.

Riding in the Moment™: Programming for Memory Loss

PATH Intl. Strides Magazine, Spring 2019

Recent research found that animal-assisted therapies in long-term care facilities (LTC) may help enhance the quality of life for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. When our Riding in the Moment™ first started in 2011, the program served residents from one LTC facility. Now it serves multiple LTC facilities and also provides equine-assisted therapy to older adults still living at home with family members and caregivers.

Some participants enjoy riding, while others prefer ground activities, such as grooming and braiding manes. We also offer a sensory station each week where individuals can participate in a selection of activities that stimulate the senses, such as planting seeds, making cookies or drawing. Learn more about our Riding in the Moment™ program and objectives in this article from STRIDES magazine.

Replication Pilot Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Cortisol Collection with Children on the Autism Spectrum

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, January 2019

This study aimed to replicate the results of a previous randomized control trial on the effectiveness of therapeutic riding for children with autism. The researchers collected saliva samples from children before and after participating in therapeutic riding sessions and measured the levels of cortisol, a hormone related to stress. They found that children who participated in therapeutic riding had a decrease in irritability and hyperactivity compared to a control group. These findings suggest that therapeutic riding may have positive effects on behavior in children with autism.

Influence of an Equine-Assisted Activities Program on Dementia-Specific Quality of Life

American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias, August 2018

This paper explores the effects of our Riding in the Moment™ (RIM) program on the quality of life of adults with dementia in long-term care facilities. The researchers observed the behavior of residents during RIM sessions and compared it to their behavior during other routine activities. They found that residents engaged in conversation, maintained eye contact, participated in activities, and showed signs of pleasure during RIM sessions, indicating a positive impact on their quality of life. The study suggests that equine-assisted activities can provide enjoyable and meaningful experiences for individuals with dementia, and further research should be conducted to explore and implement these programs.