THERAPY WITH HORSES

Further Information

EVIDENCE BASE/ RESEARCH

The demand for therapeutic interventions with horses has resulted in numerous reviews evidencing positive outcomes.

There are a number of terms used to refer to therapeutic work with horses. These include Equine Facilitated Therapy, Equine Guided Learning, Equine Assisted Therapy, Equine Assisted Interventions, and the lesser-known term “hippotherapy”.

This field of practice arose during the 1970s as an alternative to traditional talking therapies. Equine Facilitated Therapy is increasingly being used to promote both emotional growth and learning. The demand for therapeutic interventions with horses is growing. Benefits have been seen across a broad range of presenting issues, related to mental health.

The following excerpts are from findings, related to, Equine Guided Learning:

“…enhances positive behaviours, reduces negative behaviours and has helped people with mental health problems… can be as effective as other therapies currently in use and could be an alternative to talking and existing experimental and creative therapies.”

CANTIN Anna, MARSHALL-LUCETTE Sylvie. Examining the literature on the efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy for people with mental health and behavioural disorders. Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 8(1), Autumn 2011, pp.51-61. South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust and University of Huddersfield.

“The relationships and experiences … with the horses contributed to … self-confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy and a sense of mastery, and empathy. .. the therapy opened positive opportunities including social normalisation…”

BURGON Hannah Louise. ‘Queen of the world’: experiences of ‘at-risk’ young people participating in equine-assisted learning/therapy. Journal of Social Work Practice: Psychotherapeutic Approaches in Health, Welfare and the Community, 25(2), June 2011, pp.165-183. Taylor and Francis. Philadelphia, USA.

“Findings suggest significant associations between involvement in equine assisted intervention and adjustment in various socio-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral domains, including depression, positive behavior, behavioral and mood disorders, self-esteem, feelings of social acceptance and peer popularity, interpersonal communication, sensitivity towards others, anger, speech and language ability, as well as more global measures of functioning and adjustment. Also, compared to more traditional classroom-based counseling activities, equine assisted interventions were more strongly associated with lower levels of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.”

Pendry, Patricia and Roeter, Stephanie.

Experimental Trial Demonstrates Positive Effects of Equine Facilitated Learning on Child Social Competence.

Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin 2013, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1-19 . Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

How it works

The number of sessions is entirely your choice, however, we recommend eight sessions.

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Why Horses

Horses have an innate ability to sense subtle changes in their environment.

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Want to Know More?

If you would like to find out more, or just keep up to date with any aspect of the Therapy with Horses service, send me an email or call on 07554 255906

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