Autistic children treated with therapeutic horseback-riding

Autistic children learn to ride horses at a horse ranch in Shandong province.

Shandong has taken the initiative to treat autistic children with an unusual therapy: horseback-riding. The theory behind the therapy is that, when riding horses, the children will focus closely on the motion of their bodies and the sensation of holding the reins. This experience may help the children to communicate and focus -- both tasks with which young autistic patients often struggle.