Developing and Testing a Mobile Application for Autistic Children Participating in a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program at a Midwestern Equine Assisted Service Center: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Study.

This article focuses on the development and evaluation of a parent-mediated mobile application designed to complement therapeutic horseback riding (THR) programs for autistic children. Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, the study involved qualitative interviews with parents and certified therapeutic riding instructors (CTRIs) to inform app development, followed by quantitative assessment of its usability and social validity. Findings indicate that the mobile application was perceived as useful, user-friendly, and aligned with the therapeutic goals of THR, facilitating parental involvement as co-interventionists to help generalize benefits beyond riding sessions. The study highlights the potential of integrating digital technology with equine-assisted services (EAS) to enhance intervention outcomes and suggests directions for future research on efficacy, broader applicability, and standardized implementation.