The movement of the horse, the rhythmic side-to-side, forward and backward movement is similar to a human. As participants sit atop a horse, their pelvic area, trunk and upper body move in motion to the horse. This stimulation gently relaxes taut muscles and thereby increases range of motion for the rider. The movement of the trunk encourages riders to work harder to balance their upper bodies, and routine activities develop hand-eye coordination. Learning new routines, sequencing and accessing short-term memory skills assist individuals who otherwise may experience difficulty with these tasks. As important, being able to participate in an activity like their siblings and able-bodied friends increases self-esteem and confidence.