Horses Bring Hope to Parkinson’s Patients

Innovative Research Led by Texas A&M’s Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management Studies Benefits of Riding

Suzanne Gallagher grew up loving horses, from riding during summer Girls Scout camps to renting a horse to enjoy the sights at Houston’s Hermann Park. “They just let you go, there were no guides, no anything,” she recalled. Suzanne recently got back in the saddle — this time as part of a new study at Texas A&M University that could help her and millions of patients in the United States and worldwide fight Parkinson’s disease.

Irene Erion was excited to get back in the saddle while helping with new Parkinson’s research.

Dr. Deanna Kennedy of the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M is leading the pilot study, exploring how equine assisted therapy — or partnering patients with horses as part of a physical treatment regimen including horseback riding — can help curb and even reverse common symptoms in Parkinson’s patients. “Equine-assisted therapy has shown remarkable benefits for individuals with cerebral palsy, improving gait, balance, and coordination largely due to the unique, rhythmic movement of the horse and the emotional bond formed between horse and rider,” Kennedy explained. “If these therapeutic effects are so powerful in that population, we’re asking, what could they mean for those living with Parkinson’s disease? This study is our first step in answering that question.”

Irene Erion, who is also participating in the study, found out she had the disease after no longer being able to smell fresh bread at the bakery. “I actually asked the baker why he changed the recipe, and it turned out he hadn’t,” she said. “Now I get to be part of the group that might find a way to make things better.”

Joining this effort are dozens of researchers, physical therapists, and undergraduate and graduate students from Kinesiology and Sport Management, as well as the College of Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Equine Sciences and the Sydney and J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance. Also supporting the study is the Courtney Grimshaw Equine Therapeutic Program, or Courtney Cares, which provides equine assisted therapy and services for children, adults and veterans in the Brazos Valley.

Cindy Conte leads the board of directors for the Robert Conte Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders and has worked with Kennedy and her students in previous Parkinson’s studies and projects. She is now delighted to see this new effort, adding, “To think that Texas A&M is on the cutting edge of introducing a new form of therapy that’s going to benefit the larger Parkinson’s community in our nation… to me, it’s a great thing, an exciting thing!”

Dr. Deanna Kennedy (bottom right) checks data with students.

While the pilot study was brief, Kennedy envisions it as just the beginning. “We hope to show there is effectiveness in this type of treatment to apply for larger scale grants, with our goal being a six-week program to see just how effective equine-assisted therapy is at aiding people with Parkinson’s,” Kennedy said.

For Suzanne Gallagher, the experience was one to remember. “I didn’t think I could even do [horseback riding] anymore because my balance has really become worse over the years, but they thought I could do it just fine and it was a great time, a lot of fun,” she said.

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.