Jan. 17, 2009 -- The best seats at the U.S. presidential inauguration events, in terms of health and comfort, are not the coveted VIP bleachers, but instead are those reserved for the hundreds of horseback riders appearing in the parade, suggests new research.
A study in the latest issue of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that riding on horseback not only eases back pain, but it also improves the rider's confidence and emotional well being while reducing stress.
The findings add to the growing body of research that horseback riding and related equine assistance therapy programs for disabled and injured individuals benefit human participants.
Lead author Margareta Hakanson explained to Discovery News that the main reason seems to be "that the movements transferred from the horse's body to the rider are very like the body movements made by a person walking."
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"There are no excessive movements, but a continuous bilateral influence on postural balance that is enhancing balance reactions and the fine movements in the rider's trunk," added Hakanson, a researcher in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Goteborg University in Sweden.
She and her colleagues analyzed how horseback riding, along with other equine-related therapies, affected 24 patients suffering from back pain and other health problems. Post treatment, riders were evaluated on both their physical and mental well-being. All participants experienced benefits in both areas.
"For those suffering from back pain, a horse at walk provides relaxing movements," Hakanson said. "Apart from the movement influence, the psychological effects of managing, communicating with and steering a large animal promote self confidence."
Deborah Van Buren is a therapist and certified riding instructor at Equine Assisted Therapy at Mountain Valley, located in Carmel, California. She has observed similar results in her patients, who consist of children requiring physical, occupational and/or speech language therapy.
Both she and colleague David Bates say riding and equine therapies especially seem to help patients with mobility problems, including those who use wheelchairs.
"Riding gives them back their independence," Van Buren said. "Instead of being forced to look up at people they can sit tall and look straight ahead. It's a very empowering feeling to be on a horse."
Speech therapy would appear to be at odds with horse-related activities, but Van Buren explained why studies have shown it can help everyone from autistic children to military veterans.
"Such individuals are often highly sensitive to noise and adverse to touch," she said. "Through consistent, rhythmic movements, riding and equine therapies help to organize their central nervous systems and cause their head, neck and trunk to gently move and strengthen."
In order for novice riders to experience such benefits, the researchers say it helps to have professional help, since proper seating position is key. A non-aggressive approach also is needed, "letting the horse's movements move your body," Hakanson said.
As for the horses in the parade, they too have been receiving special stress-reduction instruction. Lynn Rasch, coach and choreographer of the Equestriennes, who will be appearing in the parade, said normally 250,000 guests attend a presidential inaugural parade.
"They're expecting over two million spectators for the Barack Obama parade," Rasch said.
Van Buren believes this important moment in American history is appropriately observed with horses, given their long-standing contribution to the nation's heritage.
She said, "When you see horses in a team, especially really beautiful ones that have been well groomed and cared for, it makes your spirit sing and gives you goosebumps."
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