An eight-year-old boy diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome has severe problems communicating with other children and a very short attention span.
But when he spends time with horses his concentration level soars and he can stand for hours watching their movements.
This startling transformation took place at Comanche Equestrian Centre in Sheffield, where owner Sheryl McFarlane is pioneering the technique of Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL).
EFL is a form of therapy that uses horses to help people with emotional, mental or behavioural difficulties. In a series of regular sessions, children and adults interact with a horse to build a unique relationship that can increase confidence, communication skills, patience and self-esteem.
The therapy is believed to be particularly beneficial for children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Asperger's syndrome or bi-polar disorder. It can also help those who are experiencing severe stress or trauma, such as their parents' divorce or a family bereavement.
EFL is more widely used in the USA, where it is endorsed by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), which was founded in 1969 to promote and support the use of therapeutic riding. More than 670 NARHA centres in the USA and Canada now help over 30,000 people each year.
However, EFL has been much slower to take off in Britain and Sheryl is one of only a handful of people in the UK to have undertaken an EFL training course. The intensive six-day course was run by Sierra Ohrel, a certified therapeutic riding instructor and play therapist from Tuscon, Arizona.
Sheryl says, 'I have spent most of my life around horses but the idea of using them to help people with mental and behavioural problems first came to me last year. My six-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD and it was hard to find things to help him. Then I noticed that he was a completely different child around my horses. I read about the success of EFL in America and enrolled on the course. EFL has really helped my son - now I want to share my experiences with others.'
There are 11 horses at Comanche Equestrian, ranging in size from a toy horse to a miniature Shire. Sheryl has recently opened a purpose-built centre in Bedford where she will run regular EFL sessions and her own training courses for practitioners.
'In EFL sessions we encourage children to stroke, groom or lead the horses around, but there is no pressure on them to ride,' she explains. 'Horses are a prey animal so they are very non-threatening and autistic children can build up a real connection with them. I have seen so many children benefit from EFL, including one boy with autism. When he first came to me his communication skills were negligible and he looked to his mother to answer questions. But after an hour grooming the ponies he was communicating directly with me - he couldn't keep quiet!'
Although there are hundreds of anecdotal success stories, EFL has not yet been scientifically evaluated. But Richard Mills, director of research at the National Autistic Society, believes EFL should not be discounted as a therapy. 'We know from talking to children and young people with autism that they get a great deal of pleasure from horses - they find it calming, relaxing and fun. However, we must remember that EFL has not been shown to have an impact on the underlying causes of autism and any benefits are symptomatic.'
Sheryl is working with the National Equine and Animal Facilitated Learning Association to gain formal recognition for EFL in the UK and has drawn up a code of conduct to regulate the work of practitioners. She hopes it will not be long before EFL is approved by the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
Ed Bracher, chief executive of RDA, says, 'EFL is gaining prominence and we are aware of its value. Horses can offer therapeutic benefits to people with a wide range of specific needs and we would argue that many of our clients do already experience these benefits through riding. We are now looking into the possibility of offering EFL as a specific service.'
With other EFL centres starting to spring up across the country, Sheryl hopes practitioners will share experiences and spread good practice.
In the meantime, she is looking for funding to help support her centres.
She has already received 2,000 from the Community Champions Fund, a funding stream provided by the DfES. 'There are so many children out there who need help,' says Sheryl. 'The more funding we can get the better and, eventually, I'd love to give EFL sessions for free.' NW
Further information
* Comanche Equestrian - contact Sheryl McFarlane on 07956 327 766 for information about EFL sessions and training courses
* Riding for the Disabled Association - 0845 658 1082 or www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
* National Autistic Society - 0845 070 4004 or www.nas.org.uk