New research from Hartpury University has explored how horse riding and spending time with horses may support women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), while also identifying some of the challenges they can face within equestrian sport.
The study, led by Emma Davies alongside Grace Peters, explored the experiences of 11 female recreational horse riders aged between 18 and 52 with diagnosed or self-identified ADHD.
Researchers identified four key themes: structure and organisation, ‘feel-good’ factors, social aspects and barriers to participation.
Although riders reported challenges including time management, maintaining routines, memory and processing verbal instructions, their involvement with horses appeared to provide benefits in many of these same areas.
Participants described horse care as providing structure, routine and accountability, while riding and spending time with horses were associated with emotional regulation, physical activity, a sense of achievement and what several riders described as a ‘quiet mind’.
The horse-human relationship emerged as particularly important, with horses providing not simply an opportunity for physical activity, but also motivation, purpose, identity, social connection and a reason to maintain routines.
The research also raises important questions for the wider equestrian industry. Difficulties remembering dressage tests, courses or verbal coaching instructions could create barriers for riders with ADHD, while the researchers suggest greater understanding of neurodiversity and consideration of appropriate competition accommodations could help make equestrian sport more inclusive.
Published in the International Journal of Equine Science, the study provides an important first insight into an area that has received little previous research attention.
Emma Davies is one of Animalweb’s experts, and we’re hoping to welcome Emma onto Animalweb very soon to talk us through the research, what she and Grace discovered, and what the findings could mean for riders, coaches and the wider equestrian community.
