Temple Grandin and the other experts provide great insights on autism in general, but none of them share the same connection and understanding of Rowan personally. This void of input is most prominent when Rupert tries to explain why Rowan was improving after their first meeting with the shamans. “All I know is we went to see the shamans, and now two days later we’re seeing even more involved play that I’ve never seen before” (Isaacson, 25:22). While Isaacson does have a close enough relationship with his son to see the improvement, he lacks the knowledge and skepticism to explain the reasons behind it. The director missed a great opportunity to provide the audience with a connection between the little-known facts about autism and Rowan's real-life example through his mother.

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Hippotherapy

 

"The term hippotherapy refers to how occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes" (The American Hippotherapy Association).

 

 

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He is not the only one either. Many similar foundations around the world attribute the miraculous effects of Hippotherapy to the soothing rhythmic motion of a horse walking. However, every horses stride is different, which could explain why Rowan preferred some horses over others. His favorite horse, Betsy was describes as an old mare, so her strides her likely slower that the younger more wild horses that Rowan refused to ride in Mongolia. 

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Rowans Growth

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Rowan may have improved in the long run, but his journey was not without its roadblocks. The new horses and surroundings were some of the main causes for Rowan’s difficulty adjusting at first. Living in a small town in Texas as an only child, Rowan's home was quiet and familiar. Being thrust into a new environment with constant movement and sensory-rich scenery full of bright colors and unfamiliar people, it's understandable why Rowan may have been overwhelmed at first.

 

 

These scenes were very difficult for his parents to watch, and they both wondered if what they were doing was what was best for Rowan. In the end, Kristin Neff says, “I’m open to the idea that when you take a kid, and you take them to Mongolia, and you push them to their limit; they have to confront challenges that they wouldn't otherwise, and that may be the cause of it.” Just like Kristin suggests, once Rowan gets over the initial shock of the whole situation, he is able to enjoy himself, make friends, and admire the wildlife around him.  

 

 

By looking past the chaos, just as Rowan did, the audience can come to appreciate the same intricate details that director Scott displays throughout the film. One such example of this is while the family is meeting with the first group of shamans, the camera quickly cuts from the main action to a crow sitting in a tree nearby. The crow may seem meaningless, but it was an intentional shot left in the final draft for a reason.

 

 

During this scene the shamans “all concurred that a recent ancestor, a female ancestor on Kristin's side was somehow clinging to Rowan. Perhaps trying to harm him or even pull him away” (Isaacson, 18:00). As stated by Professor Daniel P Compora in an article by Lauren David, many cultures view crows as “messengers between the living and the dead.” Kristin speculates that the ancestor they are referring to is her late grandmother who suffered from depression and mania. In this situation, the crow serves as a symbol for the link between Rowan and Kristin's grandmother.

 

 

 

Balancing Science and Spirituality

 

 

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Autism and Society

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Simon Baron-Cohan, a professor of developmental psychopathology at Cambridge University says, “It’s important that we learn to live with autism, in the sense that there's a lot of adjustments our society can make to become more autism friendly.” One of the points brought up in The Horse Boy is the difference between how people with mental illnesses are treated in different parts of the world. Unlike in North America, people in Mongolia with mental illnesses are not isolated or looked down upon. Instead, they are an important part of Mongolian society and are treated as normal people equal to those in their respective fields.

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This is not a carefree documentary about a magical cure for autism. While some scenes depict the family enjoying themselves and learning to accept each other, others cover very serious topics that should not be taken lightly. The Horse Boy provides an extremely up-to-close and personal glimpse into the real-life struggles of a family; covering everything from heart-wrenching tantrums to grim toilet training.

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Anyone who has no problem experiencing

some uncomfortable scenes and exploring

sensitive topics such as mental health should

definitely watch "The Horse Boy."

This is not just a story about a boy with

autism, but a moving documentary that

exposes the harsh reality that those who

care for someone with autism face.

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The expert inputs and unfiltered storytelling provide an excellent insight into the process of learning, understanding, and eventually accepting autism and those affected by it. This documentary reveals how little most people really know about autism. There needs to be more research and awareness surrounding mental health if society is truly going to move in a more accepting direction as Baron-Cohan suggested. Rupert Isaacson's efforts in this film and his foundation are a great start, but it is up to everyone else to educate themselves on important issues and solutions such as autism and Hippotherapy.