Sandy Rafferty

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Sandy Rafferty is a pioneering researcher in the field of rehabilitation robotics, with a focused expertise in hippotherapy and human-robot interaction for therapeutic applications. Her most-cited work, "Comparison between the robo-horse and real horse movements for hippotherapy" (2014, 23 citations), represents a foundational contribution to the development of robotic systems that replicate the complex, three-dimensional movements of a real horse for clinical use. This research directly addresses a critical gap in the field: the need for a validated, reliable robotic hippotherapy platform that can provide consistent, repeatable therapeutic interventions for individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal impairments. By systematically comparing the kinematic profiles of a robotic horse with those of a living animal, Rafferty’s work has provided essential evidence for the clinical adoption of robotic hippotherapy, offering a safe, controllable alternative to traditional equine therapy. Her findings have implications for improving postural control, balance, and gait rehabilitation in patients with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Rafferty’s research stands at the intersection of biomechanics, robotics, and clinical rehabilitation, establishing her as a key figure in advancing accessible, evidence-based therapeutic technologies.