Background: Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is associated with difficulties in executive functions (EFs), (assessed by questionnaires) and self-esteem. Objective: To examine the contribution of therapeutic horseback riding to the EFs’ improvement and self-esteem. Method: In total, 123 Israeli children diagnosed with ADHD participated in the study. The study group participated in 20 weeks of therapeutic horseback riding sessions in addition to receiving medication, whereas the control group received only medication. The children and their mothers filled out questionnaires before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 12 weeks after the treatment ended. To examine changes in the children’s EFs and self-esteem, a series of latent growth models (LGMs) were conducted. Results: Therapeutic horseback riding contributed to the improvement of EFs and self-esteem. Improved self-esteem predicted subsequent improvement in EFs. Conclusion: Therapeutic horseback riding is an effective therapeutic method to improve EFs and self-esteem among children with ADHD.

背景：注意力缺陷多动障碍 (ADHD) 与执行功能 (EF)、（通过问卷评估）和自尊的困难有关。目的：检查治疗性骑马对 EF 改善和自尊的贡献。方法：总共有 123 名被诊断患有多动症的以色列儿童参与了这项研究。除了接受药物治疗外，研究组还参加了 20 周的治疗性骑马课程，而对照组仅接受了药物治疗。孩子和他们的母亲在治疗前、治疗结束时和治疗结束后12周填写问卷。为了检查儿童 EF 和自尊的变化，进行了一系列潜在成长模型 (LGM)。结果：治疗性骑马有助于改善 EF 和自尊。改善的自尊预示着 EF 的后续改善。结论：治疗性骑马是提高多动症儿童EF和自尊的有效治疗方法。