“In the Saddle 2015” Project

The children participating in the In the Saddle 2015 project receive care from Child Neuropsychiatry Services and come from the following municipalities:

1. P (Sasso Marconi)
2. B. (Sasso Marconi)
3. P. (Vado)
4. G. (Vergato)
5. M. (Bologna)
6. T. (Porretta)
7. C. (Casalecchio)
8. C. (S. Lazzaro)
9. N. (Casalecchio)

The on-site team consists of:

• Dr. Giovanna Mazzotta, Child Neuropsychiatrist for the Casalecchio di Reno District and Technical Coordinator for Equine-Assisted Rehabilitation
• Dr. Irene Nanni, Psychologist, Professional Educator specializing in autism, and Donkey-Assisted Therapy Practitioner
• A Professional Educator from Cooperativa Libertas
• Thomas Pescuma, volunteer
• Lucia Battaglia, Educator, Psychology student, and volunteer

Venue: Società Ippica Bolognese equestrian center, via Lelli 3, Rastignano, Bologna

Schedule: Saturday mornings, 9 a.m.–12 noon

Activity period: 22 sessions are planned, divided into two terms, the first from April to June and the second from September to December.

The children will be divided into three groups according to age and the proposed activities, initially selected to suit their individual characteristics but subject to adjustment over time.

The children have mild-to-moderate cognitive delays, attention difficulties, motor restlessness, and difficulties relating to peers associated with autism spectrum disorder or conduct disorder. For some children, these difficulties involve significant relationship problems in social settings, particularly at school, a tendency to withdraw, and impulsive acting out when experiencing intense emotional distress.

Activities will include groundwork—grooming, leading the horse, and movement games—and basic exercises with horses using a surcingle or saddle. At times the children will work together as one group, and at other times individually.

Each session will also introduce a specific topic, such as the shape of the riding arena, parts of the horse’s body, or equestrian terminology.

The activities aim to increase attention span, improve purposeful movement and spatial and temporal organization, develop the ability to wait one’s turn and coordinate movements with others, and improve interaction and communication with peers and staff. They also aim to consolidate learning and develop the ability to relate to, observe, and communicate with the horse, understanding the animal’s behavior and reactions in relation to one’s own gestures and behavior.

Dr. Giovanna Mazzotta
Child Neuropsychiatrist