Why Equine Therapy Is So Popular in Australia -

Quick answer: Equine therapy is popular in Australia because it works across multiple physical and psychological systems at once — affecting sensory, muscular, skeletal, limbic, and social systems simultaneously. The horse-human interaction triggers measurable physiological changes including relaxation and heightened social engagement. Australia’s strong horse culture also means many participants and practitioners come to equine therapy with existing warmth toward horses.

Horses have long been associated with Australia — think The Man From Snowy River. Hanging around with horses is a great way to relax, and when you’re relaxed, you’re more receptive to interaction with the world around you. Combining horses with trained therapists of various kinds can offer a pathway to overcoming emotional, mental, or physical challenges, in an environment where you can talk freely without judgment, enjoy the physical connection with animals, and see real improvement over time.

To quote a peer-reviewed scientific paper on the topic: “by affecting multiple systems such as the sensory, muscular, skeletal, limbic, vestibular, and ocular systems simultaneously, [equine therapy] leads to psychologic, social, and educational benefits that will be evidenced in behavioral patterns used in other environments.” (Granados-Agis, 2011)

The benefits of equine therapy

There are a lot of claims about equine therapy. It’s worth noting upfront that it’s not very well defined — many different activities get called “equine therapy,” “equine assisted therapy,” or “hippotherapy.” A 2020 article in Nursing Open by Sharon White-Lewis identifies 26 medical uses for horses. That’s a wide spectrum.

Perhaps the clearest evidence comes from work with autism. A study published in 2017 described the results this way: “Through the multisensory dynamics of therapy, autistic children came to ‘surprise’ parents and teachers with their intersubjective, communicative, and empathic abilities.” In other words, equine therapy appeared to expand the scope and quality of communication in a way that other interventions hadn’t achieved. In our programs in Adelaide, participants with autism represent a significant group of clients, and we see similar patterns firsthand.

For people with PTSD or other trauma-related conditions, the research is similarly encouraging. A study of 57 veterans with PTSD in the USA found that “participants had a statistically significant decrease in PTSD scores after 3 weeks, as well as a statistically and clinically significant decrease after 6 weeks.” The results were consistent and measurable.

It’s worth noting that in every study we cite, the positive outcomes come from a combination of horses and people who know what they are doing. Neither the horse nor the therapist can get these results alone.

Where can you go for equine therapy in Australia?

There are a variety of programs across Australia, each offering different approaches and targeting different outcomes. Our program in southern Adelaide is focused on mental and emotional wellbeing — other providers offer programs that address physical rehabilitation and conditions like cerebral palsy through the movement dynamics of horse riding.

If you’re in the southern Adelaide region and would like to know more about our equine programs, you can register your interest here and we’ll be in touch.

How does equine therapy work?

There’s ongoing debate about the precise mechanisms, but one thing that has been repeatedly demonstrated is that the stress hormone cortisol decreases in people who spend time around horses. This was shown in a Washington State University study, among others. Cortisol is central to the “fight or flight” response, so reducing it has broad implications for people managing anxiety, PTSD, and trauma.

For physical therapies, the benefits come more from the range of movement involved in engaging with horses — particularly riding, where the horse’s gait creates continuous sensory and postural demands on the rider. For mental and emotional benefits, the calming effect of proximity to a horse — grooming, leading, simply being near — is often sufficient and doesn’t require riding at all.

How to choose a provider

If you’re considering equine therapy, there are a few things worth checking. First, if you’re on the NDIS, make sure the provider and the type of program you’re looking at are funded under your plan. This applies even if you’re self-managed — not all equine programs are claimable under all support categories, and a mismatch can mean invoices go unpaid.

Beyond eligibility, the most important factor is whether you get along with the provider and feel the program is working for you. That’s ultimately the most necessary part of the choice.

So why is equine therapy so popular?

It works, it’s enjoyable, and it’s engaging. That’s a strong set of characteristics for any therapy. After all, a therapy that people actually want to attend is a significant thing — and one that produces measurable outcomes alongside that engagement is better still. You don’t have to be The Man From Snowy River. You just need to enjoy the company of these remarkable animals.

Research cited

Anabel Corral Granados and Inmaculada Fernández Agís. “Why Children With Special Needs Feel Better with Hippotherapy Sessions: A Conceptual Review.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Mar 2011. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0229
Sharon White-Lewis. “Equine-assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis.” Nursing Open. 2020 Jan; 7(1): 58–67. doi: 10.1002/nop2.377
Malcolm R, Ecks S, Pickersgill M. “‘It just opens up their world’: autism, empathy, and the therapeutic effects of equine interactions.” Anthropology and Medicine. 2018 Aug; 25(2): 220-234. doi: 10.1080/13648470.2017.1291115
Johnson RA et al. “Effects of therapeutic horseback riding on post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans.” Military Medical Research. 2018. doi: 10.1186/s40779-018-0149-6
Patricia Pendry, Annelise N. Smith, and Stephanie M. Roeter. “Randomized Trial Examines Effects of Equine Facilitated Learning on Adolescents’ Basal Cortisol Levels.” Washington State University.