Do Horse Breed Association Youth Programs Promote Life Skills and GoalDevelopment for Youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Authors

Julius Culwell, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Makenna Foster, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Molly Christine Nicodemus, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Molly Friend, Pennsylvania State UniversityFollow
Holly Evans, University of TennesseeFollow
Dean Jousan, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Katherine Agbigail Holtcamp, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Clay Cavinder, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Toree Williams, Unity Environmental UniversityFollow

Abstract

Almost 10% of American youth are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While not a learning disability, this diagnosis results in youth being labeled academically “at-risk.” While equine assisted services (EAS) promote an emotionally safe learning environment for at-risk youth, program availability is limited. Horse breed associations, however, offer programs nationwide for all youth, although these programs do not have a therapeutic intention. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to utilize a survey to determine program participation and associated development of life skills and goals for ADHD youth. A survey was developed with the following: 15 fixed-response multiple-choice questions, one question formatted as a rating scale concerning development of 10 life skills, and an open-ended response section for feedback concerning the survey and the programs. Participants (n = 58) included the following: 1) parents of ADHD youth who had participated or were participating in breed association youth activities or 2) individuals with ADHD who had participated as a youth in these activities. The majority participated in these programs >10 years (71%) utilizing multiple horses (3–5 horses: 38%). Investment within these programs (>$40,000: 86%) exceeded financial returns ($3,000–$5,000: 33%). The majority of respondents were in agreement that these programs had impacted academic (“Definitely Yes”: 69%) and career (“Somewhat Yes”: 67%) goals. All of the life skills improved with participation with “respect” having the highest rating. While EAS has shown promise for ADHD youth, breed association youth programs may be a complementary approach in working with these youth.

Recommended Citation

Culwell, Julius; Foster, Makenna; Nicodemus, Molly Christine; Friend, Molly; Evans, Holly; Jousan, Dean; Holtcamp, Katherine Agbigail; Cavinder, Clay; and Williams, Toree (2024) "Do Horse Breed Association Youth Programs Promote Life Skills and GoalDevelopment for Youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?," Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 19: Iss. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://open.clemson.edu/jyd/vol19/iss4/8