This study investigated the influence on pelvic mobility in children with cerebral palsy of a mechanical saddle (BABS) with imitates the movement of a horse at walk. Using a matched pairs design, subjects were selected and matched into 13 pairs. Subjects sat on either the BABS or a static saddle ten times for ten minutes over four weeks. Passive pelvic movement was measured from photographs taken at end range of passive anterior and then posterior pelvic tilt, before and after the trial. Using a related t-test a significant increase in passive pelvic antero-posterior tilt was found with subjects who used the BABS. The astride position may have influenced pelvic movement as some of the subjects on the static saddle showed an increase in range; but the significant difference between the two groups was attributed to the BABS movement. Facilitation of more normal postural tone, more appropriate reciprocal innervation and possible increased soft tissue extensibility are likely to have facilitated the increase in passive pelvic movement. These results indicate that the movement of a horse at walk can facilitate pelvic movement; the BABS and conventional horse riding are valuable tools in the physiotherapy treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

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