Comments on: Magnets and Horses

By: Norah

Norah — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:20:56 +0000

I’d hate having to be around horses, let alone ride them, and I would have hated it even more when younger.

Even without the allergies.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:36:21 +0000

I’m pretty cynical about both of those studies, to say the least.

I’ve spent a lot of time with kids (autistic and not), on the other end of a longe line while they were riding, and aside from the social and physical benefits of riding, I just can’t see a neurological change happening because of it.

“Our medical advisory board is under the opinion that we are reversing autism,” Fletcher says.

I think that I’ll wait (without bated breath), for some more comprehensive studies of this apparent “treatment”. I love horses (working with them was my job for quite a while), and there are a lot of good reasons that riding for the differently abled can be a huge success, but
this just doesn’t sound like one of them.

By: Cait

Cait — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:35:00 +0000

Worth pointing out, there are lots of less woo-woo establishments for theraputic horsemanship in N. Texas- like Equest, which has been around for several decades.

All that said? Horses are good for EVERYONE.

By: Jess

Jess — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:32:59 +0000

Horseback riding terrified my brother. It was suggested as a treatment for what ailed him.

By: Regan

Regan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:15:16 +0000

I am interested in seeing the design, method and measures of that magnet study–because it is somewhat eyebrow raising, but I looked up Manual Casanova’s CV and he’s a pretty legit and respected researcher (but also last author on the paper).

‘Later.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:33:25 +0000

Horses, yes (must get to it), but not so sure about the going left/right/brain rewiring therapy described in the article!

By: siliconmom

siliconmom — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:40:01 +0000

I agree with Brett, I don’t know that I’d personally use the word “treatment”, but like swimming, music, or other activities, riding certainly can provide an outlet and release for anyone, autistic or not.

The magnet thing I’m a little more cynical about. It sounds kind of new agey, and I think I’d need to see a lot more research before I’d try it with my kids. It sounds very “McCarthy”ish.

By: LBC

LBC — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:32:23 +0000

Horses are good for everybody.

By: Brett

Brett — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:15:22 +0000

I don’t know if it is a “treatment” for autism, but I know that Zeke loves to ride. He rides with Equine Assisted Therapy here in St. Louis.