The effects of assisted horseback riding on self-reported symptoms and autonomic nervous system function

Abstract

In this paper, we present two studies on the effects of assisted horse riding in equine-assisted activities on self-perceived symptoms and autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions. The first study, involving 23 community residents, indicated that 30-min sessions of assisted horseback riding improved perceived levels of fatigue, stress, depression, and anxiety. In groups with fatigue and depression, improvements in symptoms and a significant increase in ANS activity were observed after riding. The second study investigated ANS changes during exercise and their effects on clinical symptoms in 19 healthy female college students. Riding a horse led by an assistant is classified as aerobic exercise, and showed a decrease in autonomic function, similar to walking, with sympathetic activity becoming dominant. Furthermore, horse riding, compared to walking, not only improved mood, anxiety, tension, and irritability but also significantly improved other items such as fatigue, motivation, and physical condition. Many participants reported positive physical and emotional responses to riding, such as comfort from touching the horse and surprise at its height. Therefore, this paper suggests that improvement in clinical symptoms from equine-assisted therapy is due not only to the effect of aerobic exercise but also to the physical and emotional responses to interacting with a large animal like a horse.