Introduction Equine assisted therapy (EAT) which includes therapeutic horseback riding (THR), grooming, horsemanship and ground level work with horses, has been studied as treatment for children with special needs and/or autistic spectrum disorder. Preliminary evidence indicates that EAT is also effective for improving self-efficacy and self-esteem in adults with psychiatric disorders. Empowerment, bonding and building trust with the horses, may promote functioning of patients struggling with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors performed a prospective, pilot open case series study to assess the effect of EAT on patients with PTSD in terms of symptoms and functioning in work, family and social interaction. Methods Patients with PTSD received EAT once a week for 3 consecutive hours for 6 months. The Short Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were assessed at baseline, the SDS after 1 and 6 months, and the SPRINT after 6 months. Results Thirteen of 23 participants completed the study. Ten participants withdrew from the study for various reasons including discomfort from horses. Total SPRINT scores showed a statistically significant improvement in PTSD symptoms (baseline vs. 6 months: 24.38 ± 6.4 vs. 21.54 ± 7.94 points; p < 0.05). SPRINT scores indicated improvement in the ability to work and perform daily tasks (p < 0.05). A statistically significant improvement in the total SDS score was revealed following 1 month (p < 0.03) and after 6 months (p < 0.02) of EAT. There was also a significant decline in the days of inefficiency (baseline vs. 6 months: 4.15 ± 2.73 vs, 1.88 ± 2.18 days per week, p < 0.02). Conclusion This preliminary pilot open case series study suggests that EAT may be a beneficial treatment for patients suffering from PTSD. The study demonstrated improved ability to work and perform daily tasks and reduction in the number of days of inefficiency. Further large-scale long-term studies are warranted to substantiate our observation.

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Equine‐assisted therapy (EAT) is an increasingly popular form of treatment for people suffering from post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who, for one reason or another, find psychotherapy and other traditional treatment approaches unsuitable or unhelpful. However, the concomitant growth of research in the field is yet to engage with key factors relating to EAT; specifically, there are few studies considering the phenomenological perspective of patients, and the embodied knowledge deriving from the lived experience of PTSD patients who participated in EAT‐based intervention programmes. Based on a qualitative‐phenomenological study, interviews were conducted with 12 PTSD patients who had completed an EAT‐based intervention programme. From these, three main themes characterising the meanings they gave to participation in an EAT‐based treatment programme were identified: the ability to relax (self‐regulation); establishing a relationship (bonding) and transformation and hope for the future. The findings of this study point to a process whereby participation in an EAT‐based treatment programme facilitates the ability to cope with PTSD symptoms in a way that bridges the patient's emotional, social and spiritual‐existential dimensions. The findings suggest that EAT can contribute to the healing process of veterans suffering from PTSD.

Background Over the past two decades, a large body of research has focused on the contribution of equine-assisted therapies to positive psychological changes in at-risk adolescents. The current study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of therapeutic horseback riding (THR, a type of equine-assisted therapy) among at-risk adolescents and examine how they describe the psychological benefits and the mechanisms of change of a THR intervention. Methods This qualitative study focused on at-risk adolescents living in residential care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 adolescents. Results Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (a) participants’ presentation, (b) the benefits of riding as a mechanism of change in the THR intervention, and (c) the benefits of the relationship with the horse as a mechanism of change in the THR intervention. Conclusions The results of this study emphasize that the riding process and the relationship with the horse are the core mechanisms of THR interventions for at-risk adolescents and provide various psychological, behavioral, and relational benefits. Self-determination theory (SDT) is a relevant framework through which to explore at-risk adolescents’ subjective experiences of THR intervention and reveal its benefits for them.

Background: Over the past two decades, a large body of studies has focused on the contribution of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) to adolescents. The current study aimed to explore what makes this kind of intervention an effective positive psychological transformer. Methods: This qualitative study focused on at-risk adolescents living in residential care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 adolescents. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: participants’ presentation; relationship with the horse, including three basic needs, as defined in self-determination theory (SDT), that emerged from the data (competence, autonomy, and relatedness); and THR’s influence as described by the adolescents. Results: Our findings emphasize horsemanship as the core element of the THR interventions with youth at the social margins. This study contributes to SDT by demonstrating the significant role of relatedness in enhancing competence and healthy autonomy. Conclusions: The study’s findings illustrate the significant impact of THR intervention on various aspects of at-risk adolescents’ lives.