Running head: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PAPER

Assistive Technology Paper- Brush Buddy

Kelsey Puliafico
Touro University Nevada

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Introduction

After my first lesson on the stubborn, dusty-colored pony named Roland, I was hooked;
at six years old I had fallen in love with horses and riding, and there was no turning back. I
quickly became another one of those little girls who begged her parents for a pony at every
holiday and birthday. Although I never had a horse to officially call my own, growing up around
horses taught me so many great lessons about responsibility, trust, and compassion. I can vouch
for the idea that horseback riding has been a huge benefit in my life, and a great deal of research
also supports horseback riding for a variety of individuals with disabilities.
Literature Review
There is a substantial amount of literature available that supports the use of horseback
riding intervention to promote positive outcomes for individuals with disabilities. A vast
majority of research studies on horseback riding intervention have found that it promotes
improvement in posture, balance and functional performance (All, A. C., & Loving, G. L., 1999).
The sensorimotor input to the muscles and joints that a rider feels when seated in the saddle and
riding around the arena can also increase function. The experience may help to maintain,
develop, rehabilitate or augment physical skills (All, A. C., & Loving, G. L., 1999). These are
just a few examples of the physical benefits of horseback riding. However, other areas of wellbeing, such as social and emotional, can be improved too (All, A. C., & Loving, G. L., 1999).
Horseback riding allows individuals with disabilities to engage in recreation and leisure
activities (Young, R. L., 2005). It helps to promote a sense of normalcy in the lives of individuals
with disabilities, as they come together in a diverse group for social interaction and engagement.
In addition, horseback riding is an activity that can be used for intervention purposes without
feeling like therapy to the client. Horseback riding provides opportunity for rehabilitation and/or

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prevention of further deformity or functional loss (Young, R. L., 2005). In regards to

occupational therapy, in particular, horseback riding interventions could be used as a clientcentered way to address occupational goals. Because there are so many different activities that
can be performed on horseback, the interventions can be graded to fit needs of individual riders.
In addition to the benefits that riding can have on the individual, there is something to be
said for the bond that forms between a horse and rider during interaction on the ground. Jan
Yorke, Cindy Adams, and Nick Coady did a study to examine the therapeutic value of the bond
between a horse and human after involvement in a traumatic event. They found that the bonds
formed between a horse and rider may parallel those formed between and therapist and client
(Yorke, J., Adams, C., & Coady, N., 2008). Trust and respect are two qualities that are important
in a therapeutic relationship. These characteristics are encompassed in both the relationship
between horse and rider, and between therapist and client. One way that a rider may establish
rapport with the horse is through the physical contact involved with grooming (Yorke, J., Adams,
C., & Coady, N., 2008). Grooming is an important component of the entire occupation of
horseback riding. You have to care for the horse in order to maintain a positive relationship and
be ready to ride. These task-related occupations associated with riding, like grooming, contribute
to increasing client confidence (Yorke, J., Adams, C., & Coady, N., 2008). Ultimately, there are
an exorbitant amount of benefits that can be gained from involvement with horseback riding
activities.
Potential Client Populations
Cerebral Palsy
There is a great deal of research to support horseback riding for individuals with Cerebral
Palsy (CP). Due to many of the motor impairments that may accompany CP, the horse gait has

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been found to provide a sensory experience to aid with appropriate motor development and
motor learning. Horseback riding provides opportunities for practicing balance and trunk control
through participation in a meaningful activity. In addition, development of trunk control through
activities on horseback aids to increase motor skills such as reaching or grasping (Debuse, D.,
Gibb, C., & Chandler, C., 2009). These skills can be transferred to other occupations; a bonus in
the world of occupational therapy.
Individuals with CP sometimes experience spasticity. This causes difficulty with
voluntary movements and possible resistance to movement (Reed, K. L., 2014). It may also
cause problems with hand use and grip, making these individuals a great candidate to use the
Brush Buddy for engagement in horse grooming activities.
Down Syndrome
In addition, individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) may also benefit from horseback
riding. A study done in Canada examined the effectiveness of horseback riding intervention on
gross motor function in infants with DS. They found that participation in therapeutic riding
intervention was shown to improve gross motor function, particularly in the areas of running,
walking, and jumping on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) (Champagne, D., &
Dugas, C., 2010). Like with CP, skills gained through horseback riding such as head and trunk
control may be generalizable to other activities (Champagne, D., & Dugas, C., 2010). Individuals
with DS may have low tone, or flaccidity in the muscles, which interferes with fine motor tasks.
This may cause difficulty for individuals with DS to grasp a brush in order to participate in
grooming a horse. These individuals could also benefit from the use of the Brush Buddy.

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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Lastly, individuals who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
too can benefit from horseback riding. Individuals with ASD often experience difficulty with
communication and social interaction. As much as horseback riding is beneficial for
improvement in gross motor skills for many individuals, positive benefits have been found for
improvement in social interactions and sensory reactions for individuals with ASD (Ward, S.,
Whalon, K., Rusnak, K., Wendell, K., & Paschall, N., 2013). Because horses respond to verbal
and non-verbal forms of communication, working with horses gives individuals with ASD and
opportunity to develop some of the communication skills they make lack in other settings. Social
and sensory interaction are encouraged during stable activities such as grooming (Ward et al.,
2013).
Along with struggles in communicating or social interactions, individuals with ASD may
have decreased attention spans. This may cause problems with safety when working with horses.
If an individual with ASD spontaneously decides to be finished with a task or potentially flail,
throw or drop something around a horse it may cause them to spook. This could lead to injury
that could be avoided if the individual were able to use the Brush Buddy to keep them from
throwing or dropping brushes unexpectedly.
The Device
The Brush Buddy is a hand brace device that is designed to assist individuals with
holding brushes to groom a horse. It is designed to comfortably fit a variety of hand sizes, due to
adjustable Velcro straps. The Brush Buddy is made from soft black pleather, and line with fleece
to ensure maximum comfort. Three straps provide support around the hand and wrist. Fingers are
not restricted by the device to allow for movement if needed. Industrial strength Velcro was used

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on the palmar surface of the device and the back of horse brushes that were adapted for use with
the Brush Buddy. Refer to Appendix C for photos of the device.
Cost Analysis
The Brush Buddy was constructed for under $60.00. Refer to Appendix A for a cost
analysis table.
Enhancement of Occupational Performance
Significant research has been published to support the use of horseback riding intervention
to improve gross motor skills such as balance and trunk control. Although not as vast, there is
some research to support the benefit of interaction between horse and rider on increasing feelings
of competence and positive well-being. Studies have found that the bond formed between a horse
and rider during interaction on the ground is a basis for these outcomes. Because of this, I feel like
it is important to encourage participation in grooming the horse to promote these positive
outcomes, which is sometimes difficult for individuals who have difficulty holding grooming
tools.
Grooming a horse could also be a safety concern for individuals with disabilities who have
limited sustained attention. Providing a device that will prevent spontaneous throwing or dropping
of the brush is favorable. The Brush Buddy will increase independence in the occupation of
grooming a horse, which could ultimately improve the confidence and well-being of individuals
with various disabilities.
Other Available Devices
There are no other devices available on the market that are just like the Brush Buddy.
Many varieties of horse brushes and other grooming tools are sold that may be appealing to some

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consumers, however, they are unlike the Brush Buddy. There are many reasons to support the
use of the Brush Buddy over other grooming tools. Refer to Appendix B to view an analysis of
other horse grooming devices.
Conclusion
Overall, the Brush Buddy will enhance performance and engagement in the occupation of
grooming a horse for individuals who may not currently be able to participate independently.
The versatile nature of the device make it appealing to a variety of consumers. Skills gained
when engaging in horse grooming activities such as communication skills, development of trust
and respect, and feelings of responsibility when caring for an animal may be generalized to other
areas of an individuals life. The research supports the use of horseback riding and grooming
intervention to provide a variety of benefits for individuals with disabilities and the Brush Buddy
has the potential to increase those benefits even further.

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References

All, A. C., & Loving, G. L. (1999). Animals, horseback riding, and implications for
rehabilitation therapy. Journal of Rehabilitation, 65(3), 49-57.
Champagne, D., & Dugas, C. (2010). Improving gross motor function and postural control with
hippotherapy in children with down syndrome: case reports. Physiotherapy Theory &
Practice, 26(8), 564-571. doi: 10:3109/09593981003623659
Debuse, D., Gibb, C., & Chandler, C. (2009). Effects of hippotherapy on people with cerebral
palsy from the users perspective: a qualitative study. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice,
25(3), 174-192. doi: 10.1080/09593980902776662
Reed, K. L. (2014). Quick reference to occupational therapy. Austin, Texas: Pro-Ed.
Ward, S., Whalon, K., Rusnak, K., Wendell, K., & Paschall, N. (2013). The association between
therapeutic horseback riding and the social communication and sensory reactions of
children with autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2190-2198.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1773-3
Yorke, J., Adams, C., & Coady, N. (2008). Therapeutic value of equine-human bonding in
recovery from trauma. Anthrozoos, 21(1), 17-30. doi: 10.2752/089279308X274038
Young, R. (2005). Horsemastership part 1: therapeutic components and link to occupational
therapy. International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 12(2), 78-83.

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Appendix A- Brush Buddy Cost Analysis

Item
yard black textured
pleather*
yard light grey felt (for
liner)*
1 spool extra strong nylon
black thread
1 package sticky back Velcro
for fabric
1 package Industrial Strength
Velcro
1 package foam wrap closet
bend and shower foam spacer

Purchase
Location
Joann Fabric

Price

Joann Fabric

$1.35 (approximately 3 devices can be

cut from this amount) $0.45/1 device
$2.50 (approximately 3 devices can be
cut from this amount) $0.83/1 device
$2.79

Joann Fabric

$7.99

Staples

$3.99

Home Depot

$1.28

Joann Fabric

TOTAL: $19.90 ($17.33)

Horse Brush Costs**

Horse Brush
Horse Face Brush
Rubber Curry

WC Equestrian
WC Equestrian
WC Equestrian

$5.95
$2.99
$3.75

TOTAL (Brushes included):

$32.59 ($30.02)
Note:
*Extra fabric was purchased as a precautionary measure for the construction of the Brush Buddy.
Total costs in this chart are reflective of this. Costs in parentheses reflect the approximate cost of
the Brush Buddy if considering the amount of fabric needed to construct 1 device.
**Client can attach Velcro to any horse brush of their choosing, so these costs may vary
depending on client preference.

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Appendix B- Device Comparison Table

Product

Roma Gel Body Brush

Purchase Location

State Line Tack (online or catalog

order)

Price

$5.99

This brush does not

have an adjustable
strap to fit different
hand sizes.

$8.99

The handle on this

curry brush does not
fit around the hand.
Individuals with
limited grip strength
would not be able to
hold it.

http://www.statelinetack.com/

Oster ECS Coarse Curry

State Line Tack (online or catalog

order)

Why Brush
Buddy is a
better option?

http://www.statelinetack.com/

Stubben Wooden Back

Brush

SmartPak (online or catalog order

https://www.smartpakequine.com/

$48.95

This brush has a

comfortable strap,
however, it is not
adjustable. It is also
very expensive,
which may not be
appealing to some
individuals.

Winners Circle Dandy

Brush

Dover Saddlery (online or catalog

order)
http://www.doversaddlery.com/

$11.99

This brush does not

have a handle,
however, it could be
adapted & used with
the Brush Buddy if
desired

Other horse grooming products are available for sale on a variety of online sites
Many available items do not seem adaptable in the original format, however may be adjusted
to work with the Brush Buddy, making it a versatile device
There are also tack shops where individuals can go in to purchase horse-related items; stores
vary depending on location

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Appendix C- Brush Buddy Photos
Figure C1- Outer View

Figure C2- Inside View

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Figure C3- Top View on Hand

Figure C4- Palmar View on Hand

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Figure C5- Side View on Hand

Figure C6- Brush Buddy on Hand

Full Front View

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