Reining in Anxiety is a manualized equine assisted therapy (EAT) for childhood anxiety. The manual and associated materials are being tested in this pilot study, and, if found to be successful, will be available for public consumption. This EAT, which is delivered in a group setting, combines therapeutic horseback riding with cognitive behavioral strategies for anxiety. The group meets weekly over the course of ten weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Each session is delivered in a group format with up to four children between 6 and 17 years of age.
The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the impact of Reining in Anxiety for children with anxiety and their caregivers. A total of up to 80 child/caregiver dyads will be enrolled in the study, anticipating that 40 dyads will complete the 10 week intervention. The intervention will be delivered at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, which is one of the largest therapeutic riding centers in the US.