The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a horseback riding therapy program on the psychomotor development of children with indicators of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Regarding the method, for this exploratory study an experimental manipulation procedure was developed. The study included five children aged seven to 10 years, with ADHD indicators obtained through the SNAP IV. An evaluation based on the Motor Development Scale (MDS) was carried out with the study participants before and after the intervention period. The intervention consisted of a horseback riding therapy program with education/reeducation aims. Twenty four individual sessions were carried out, lasting 30 minutes each; these sessions were systematically recorded through videotaping and field diary notes. The analysis of the results showed that the horseback riding therapy program affected all motor skills under investigation, and the greatest improvement of psychomotor aspects, according to the motor development scale (MDS) involved, respectively: spatial organization, balance, fine motor skills and body schema; global motor coordination and temporal organization aspects showed less improvement. Since at posttest, overall motor age was statistically significant, it was concluded that, generally speaking, the horseback riding therapy program had a positive influence on the development of psychomotor aspects of children with ADHD involved in the study.
Special Education; ADHD; Horseback Riding Therapy; Psychomotor Development
