Recognizing and Supporting Sensory Responses in Adaptive & Therapeutic Riding

Every rider experiences the world through a unique sensory lens. In adaptive and therapeutic riding, understanding a rider’s sensory processing profile is essential for building trust, promoting regulation, and creating meaningful, successful lessons.

Riders MAY show patterns across multiple sensory systems:

• Tactile: touch, texture, pressure
• Auditory: sound
• Visual: light, movement, visual clutter
• Vestibular: movement and balance
• Proprioceptive: body awareness

But, sensitivity can vary from sense to sense. Some riders may be hypersensitive in one area (like touch) and hyposensitive in another (like sound). Understanding these differences helps instructors choose appropriate horses, adapt equipment, and tailor lessons to each rider’s needs.

Why Sensory Awareness Matters

The riding environment is rich with sensory input: horse movement, barn sounds, breezes, lighting changes, textures like leather and hair, and smells. For most riders, these sensations support regulation and learning – but for some, they can feel confusing, overwhelming, or insufficient.

Unrecognized sensory preferences can lead to:

• Increased fear or emotional dysregulation
• Avoidance or seeking behaviors that interrupt learning or impact the horse or other riders
• Trouble focusing on tasks
• Difficulty mounting or maintaining correct posture
• Safety concerns for the rider, volunteers, or horse

When sensory responses are noticed and supported, riders become more comfortable, confident, and engaged. Lessons flow more smoothly, and learning can truly take place.

Hypersensitive Riders (Over-Responsive or Sensory Avoiding)

These riders perceive sensory input – touch, sound, movement, or light – as intense or unpredictable.

Common Signs

Tactile:

• Pulls away from touch or avoids holding reins
• Avoids grooming or touching the horse
• Adjusts or removes helmet
• Won’t grab or drops objects

Auditory:

• Covers ears at whinnies or barn noises
• Appears fearful, frozen, or unfocused in noisy environments

Visual:

• Squints, looks away, stares at one thing or covers eyes
• Avoids bright sunlight, reflections, or harsh indoor lighting
• Overwhelmed by things moving, visual clutter, or busy ring setups

Movement/Proprioception:

• Hesitant to mount
• Prefers to stay halted or limit movement
• Becomes tense or rigid during transitions

How to Support Hypersensitive Riders

1. Use Predictable, Clear Input
   • Give cues or warnings before sensory changes: “I’m going to adjust your stirrup now,” “Suzie and Rob are going to hold your heels” or “On the count of 3 we will ask your horse to trot, that means we will go faster and the saddle will be bouncy.” 
2. Reduce Sensory Load When Possible
   • Choose calm horses with smooth movement
   • Minimize loud noises, busy setups, or external distractions
   • Determine minimally invasive volunteer holds
3. Offer More Choices
   • In their equipment options: saddle/pad, reins, grooming tools
   • In their environment: quieter, darker, out in nature
   • Choice increases comfort, control, and tolerance
4. Allow More Time
   • Slower pacing and extra processing time help hypersensitive riders adjust to changes

Hyposensitive Riders (Under-Responsive or Sensory Seeking)

These riders may not register sensory input fully and often seek more stimulation to feel organized and grounded.

Common Signs

Tactile:

• Heavy-handed patting or grooming
• Heavy or jerky use of reins or lead rope
• Sits heavily or slides off-center without awareness

Auditory:

• Talks loudly, sings, or makes noises
• Seeks music or rhythmic sounds
• Responds better to louder, more distinct verbal cues

Visual:

• Drawn to bright colors, lights, screens, or movement
• Frequently scans the environment for changes
• Responds well to visual cues

Movement/Proprioception:

• Prefers faster gaits or bouncier horses
• Fidgets, touches or grabs – saddle pads, horse’s hair, reins, or nearby objects
• May appear “floppy” or low-toned, in effort to feel more movement

How to Support Hyposensitive Riders

1. Increase Meaningful Sensory Input
   • Incorporate Heavy Work to Support Regulation before and during lessons
   • Use modulating pressure activities (ie: rub, pat, tap walls or objects)
   • Equipment that provides feedback, like textured reins or tactile saddle modifications
2. Choose Horses With More Movement
   • Horses with more natural swing, bounce, or larger strides can provide helpful sensory input
3. Build in Regulation Activities
   • Sensory grounding exercises increase body awareness
4. Provide Clear, Distinct Cues
   • Support focus with firm tactile cues, strong visual prompts, and clear verbal instructions
5. Offer Sensory-Seeking Opportunities Safely
   • Let riders explore different games, textures, objects, or move through new movements remaining safe

Teach Pressure Modulation

With varied sensory preferences it’s great for riding instructors to get an idea of how their riders modulate pressure – because pressure and release is key to communicating with horses. The article How to Teach Riders to Modulate Pressure is a great place to get exercises to incorporate this. 

Sensory Supports Through Equipment & Clothing

Other adjustments that may support riders regardless of sensitivity profile:

• Compression or snug clothing (shirts or vests) provides predictable tactile/proprioceptive input and helps riders feel secure
• Experimenting with stirrup types allowing for different feedback through the feet
• Gloves can provide more consistent touch and can be a supportive modality for sensory seekers and avoider if they tolerate them
• Having reins of various shapes, sizes and textures

Instructor Tips for All Sensory Profiles

• Behavior is communication – sensory preferences can vary day to day.
• Environmental triggers for highly sensitive individuals may not be obvious to us:
  • Flickering lights
  • Distant fan noise 
  • Dust on their skin
  • The smell of this mornings flyspray
• Support regulation before teaching skills—a regulated rider can learn; a dysregulated rider cannot.
• Communication is key. Check in with riders and/or caregivers about comfort, preferences, and equipment. Simple questions like “Does this feel okay?” can make a big difference.
• Consider Medications: Some riders take medications (like stimulants or sedatives) that affect sensory experiences, alertness, or responsiveness. It is something to be aware of in the event of medication changes, missed doses etc.

Creating a Sensory-Informed Riding Program

Recognizing sensory responses doesn’t require specialized training- it requires awareness, observation, and compassion. Understanding how tactile, auditory, and visual processing impacts the riding experience allows instructors to create safer, more empowering lessons and build stronger partnerships between rider and horse.

A sensory-informed program is not only more inclusive—it’s more effective.