The original aim of this study was a follow-up assessment of a recreational program running for six months (September 2019–February 2020) within controlled conditions. Following the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey acquired a new goal: how do the subjects of the follow-up sampling experience this severe stress situation, and in this experience, what role does physical activity and a salutogenetic sense of coherence play. Austrian women (N = 53) took part in the training program, whose physical condition was assessed before the start of the program, then reassessed after three months and after six months; the organizers also had them fill out the sense of coherence questionnaire (SOC) as well as the Regensburger insomnia scale. After the lifting of the lockdown introduced due to the pandemic, participants completed an online survey relating to their changed life conditions, physical activities, sense of coherence and sleep quality. Results: After the first three months of the training, no significant changes were detected. After six months, the participants SOC and sleep quality improved (Friedman test: p = 0.005 and p < 0.001). During the lockdown, sleep quality generally deteriorated (W-rank test: p = 0.001), while SOC did not change. The women in possession of a relatively stronger SOC continued the training (OR = 3.6, CI 95% = 1.2–12.2), and their sleep quality deteriorated to a lesser degree. (OR = 1.7, CI 95% = 1.1–2.8). Conclusion: The data reinforce the interdependency between physical exercise (PE) and SOC; furthermore, the personal training that the authors formulated for middle-aged women proved to be successful in strengthening their sense of coherence, and it also reduced the deterioration in sleep quality due to stress.

Multiple studies have investigated the positive effects of human–animal interactions and showed that animal-assisted activities can be successfully used to better human physical and mental health. Equine-assisted activities have also raised considerable attention within the field. Our research focuses on healthy students (aged 14–18) without deviations or special educational needs. We analyze the occurrence of behavior problems and prosocial behavior among adolescents who regularly have interactions with horses, and those who have no connection to horses at all. The subjects of our investigation completed the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and we use a ‘quasi’ 2 × 2 before-after control-impact design to analyze the data. Students studying equine-related vocations and students of other vocations are compared, at the beginning and at the end of their studies. Our results indicate that students of equine-related vocations are more helpful and empathetic, and have fewer behavior problems, than those studying other vocations. There is a negative correlation between prosocial behavior and behavior problems. The development of the prosocial behaviors of students with regular horse–human interactions is more remarkable than of those who have no connection to horses. With these results, we are going to confirm the hypothesis that equine-assisted activities correlate with positive behavioral traits among healthy adolescents.

Számos közlemény jelent meg az állat-ember interakció pozitív szomatikus és pszichés hatásáról. Az állatok képesek feltétlen, pozitív elfogadásra. Felkeltik az érintett személyek érdeklődését, elősegítik a proszociális, humánus viselkedést és fejlesztik az empátiás készséget. Jelen cikk, "mini rewiev" célja elsősorban a lóval végzett tevékenységek hatásaival kapcsolatos hazai és külföldi kutatások ismertetése abból a szempontból, hogy milyen módon hat és miben nyújthat többet egy ilyen interakción belül a ló, mint bármilyen más állat. Hogyan segíti a kommunikáció finomodását, az érzelmek felismerését és tudatos kontrollját, ezáltal pedig a társadalmi integrációt. Milyen módon van hatással az önbizalom, az egészséges énkép, a kreativitás és az asszertivitás fejlődésére, a szorongás és az izoláció csökkentésére. Módszere az internetes adatbázisokban állatasszisztált, ill. equine assisted kulcsszavak segítségével fellelhető szakkönyvek és folyóiratcikkek áttekintése. Kulcsszavak: Ember-állat interakció, lóasszisztált intervenció, egészségfejlesztés ABSTRACT: Several publications discuss the positive somatic and psychic effects of animal-human interactions. Animals are capable of unconditional, positive acceptance. They raise the attention of people involved, promote pro-social and humane conduct, and empathy towards others. The present article, a "mini review", aims to describe the research conducted in Hungary and abroad, primarily in connection with equine assisted activities. It focuses on how the horse exerts an effect and how it can be more effective than other animals within an interaction; how it helps to refine communication, to perceive and consciously control feelings, and through these processes, to facilitate social integration. We also report on the way equines effect the development of self-confidence, a healthy self-image, creativity and assertiveness, and the reduction of anxiety and isolation. We used the search terms "animal assisted" and "equine assisted" in online databases to find Hungarian and English language literature about our topic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused extreme deviations from everyday life. The aim of this study was to investigate how these deviations affected adolescents’ sense of coherence and their level of aggression, and whether this was influenced by their relationship with animals, especially horses. In two random samples of students from vocational schools in Hungary, taken in June 2018 and June 2020 (n1 = 525, n2 = 412), separate groups were drawn from those who had regularly engaged in equine-assisted activities (ES) and those who had not (OS) before the pandemic. Data were collected using an anonymous, paper-based questionnaire, and during the pandemic an online version of the Sense of Coherence (SOC13) and Bryant–Smith (B12) scales. During the pandemic, boys’ sense of coherence weakened and their aggressiveness increased. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that, regardless of gender and age group, increased time spent using the internet (p < 0.001), a lack of classmates (p = 0.017), reduced time spent outdoors (p = 0.026) and reduced physical activity (p < 0.038) during the pandemic significantly increased the tendency for aggressive behavior, whereas being with a horse or pet was beneficial (p < 0.001). The changes imposed by the curfew were rated as bad by 90% of the pupils, however, those with a strong sense of coherence felt less negatively about them. Schools should place a great emphasis on strengthening the students’ sense of coherence.