Strides toward making equine-assisted services an accessible recreational therapy through inclusive helmet design.

This article focuses on the challenges and systemic barriers related to helmet accessibility and inclusivity within equine-assisted services (EAS), a form of therapeutic recreation involving horseback riding. A survey of 201 EAS providers, primarily Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRIs), revealed significant difficulties in fitting helmets for participants with diverse needs, including those with protective hairstyles, physical disabilities, sensory sensitivities, cochlear implants, and religious head coverings. These fitting issues compromise safety, comfort, and program participation, with some centers modifying activities or turning participants away due to lack of appropriate helmets. The study highlights the need for adaptive helmet design informed by frameworks like Adaptive Synergy and cross-sector innovations from other sports, emphasizing user involvement to enhance accessibility and equity in recreational and therapeutic equestrian activities.