The Role of the Equine in Animal-Assisted Interactions

Latella, Donna; Abrams, Barbara N.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815395-6.00010-9

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…In the 1st edition, published in 2000, “horses,” “hippotherapy,” “riding therapy,” and “vaulting” were covered in pages 93–94 and 217–218. By Edition 4, an entire 23‐page chapter was devoted to the role of the equine in AAT (Latella & Abrams, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study of the literature shows diverse terminology for the use of horses interacting with humans for therapeutic purposes (Latella & Abrams, ). Granger and Kogan () explained that horses in a therapeutic setting can be divided into the categories of hippotherapy, riding therapy, riding for rehabilitation and vaulting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hippotherapy is often utilised for physical therapy, for instance to improve balance, posture and gait. Such treatment is delivered by health‐care professionals including occupational, physical, or speech therapists (Latella & Abrams, ). Hippotherapy requires the horse to lead, while in riding therapy, the rider can be more active and take control, in order to improve flexibility or gross motor control, for example.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vaulting is a variation of riding therapy, which requires the rider to perform gymnastic exercises on horseback, with an aim to improve muscle strength, mobility and self‐esteem as well as a number of other physical and psychological outcomes. Latella and Abrams () describe a further category of equine therapy, “therapeutic carriage driving,” which allows people to connect with a horse or pony as an alternative to riding, which may be particularly suitable for children and people who require a wheelchair. Furthermore, not all interventions include an actual horse, with simulated horseback riding and robotic horses also incorporated into therapeutic interventions (Lee, So, Lee, & Moon, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An umbrella review of the evidence for equine‐assisted interventions

Stern

Chur‐Hansen

2019

Australian Journal of Psychology

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Objective: To establish the evidence base for animal-assisted interventions, and specifically, hippotherapy and other interventions involving horses, in the context of improving biological, physical, psychological and social functioning, and outcomes in humans. Method: A review of systematic reviews (an umbrella review) was carried out using a modified Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were any interventions that included a live horse, for humans of any age and for any therapeutic purpose. Service and assistance horses and people who were incarcerated were excluded. Systematic reviews with a clearly articulated and comprehensive search strategy, with evidence of critical appraisal, both qualitative and quantitative and mixed methods, and in English were considered. Results: Of 19 systematic reviews considered eligible for inclusion, 13 were included in this umbrella review. These 13 systematic reviews covered 79 individual studies of equine-assisted interventions, including primarily hippotherapy and therapeutic horse riding. Participants included children with cerebral palsy, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, adults with multiple sclerosis, elderly people, adults post-stroke, people with spinal cord injury, adults with serious mental illness, adults with balance problems, people with brain disorders, breast cancer survivors, and obese women. Conclusions: The evidence for equine-assisted interventions for adults and children across a range of conditions and presentations is equivocal. The current evidence base is marred by multiple methodological weaknesses and thus, therapeutic interventions that include a horse cannot be asserted as best practice at this time. Rigorous research is indicated to determine the utility of equine-assisted interventions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An umbrella review of the evidence for equine‐assisted interventions

Stern

Chur‐Hansen

2019

Australian Journal of Psychology

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“…Research has pointed out the significance of animals to humans in providing their owners with companionship, friendship, a sense of empathy, the development of emotional bonds, social support, flight" instinct, and for that reason, they are very sensitive to the body language and emotions that are unconsciously projected by humans [30,31]. When horses are healthy and not stressed, they approach humans with "cautious curiosity" [32], which differs from the familiar situation of an unfamiliar adult coming "too close too soon" and causing a child to feel intimidated and frightened [32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Human–Horse Attachment in Creating Favorable Settings for Professional Care: A Study of Adolescents’ Visit to a Farm

Törmälehto

Korkiamäki

2020

Animals

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Previous research has shown features of an attachment bond to be fulfilled in, for instance, human–dog dyads; however, there is a considerable lack of research on the potential attachment in human–horse relationships. Employing Bowlby’s criteria of an attachment bond and Pierce’s model of therapeutically powerful activity, this article studies whether short-term exposure to horses brings about elements of emerging attachment for adolescents and if this interaction holds potential in creating a favorable early-stage setting for professional care. It draws from group discussions carried out with nine 16–17-year-old adolescents who participated in an EASEL (Equine-Assisted Social and Emotional Learning) session when visiting a farm with a youth worker. A qualitative content analysis of the discussions revealed that some characteristics of the four principal criteria of an attachment bond—proximity maintenance, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress—were identifiable in the adolescents’ expressed experiences of observing and interacting with horses. Moreover, the three main sources of therapeutic power—appeal, accuracy, and intactness—intersected with the emerging development of the adolescents’ attachment to horses. Additionally, space for self-reflection was enhanced by the presence of the horses. The study offers insights into the potential of human–horse attachment in dealing with adolescents with and without special needs for various therapy and care purposes.

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Conceptualizing the Human–Animal Bond and Animal-Assisted Interventions

Fine

Ferrell

2021

The Welfare of Animals in Animal-Assisted Interventions

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The Role of the Equine in Animal-Assisted Interactions

Cited by 8 publications

References 117 publications

An umbrella review of the evidence for equine‐assisted interventions

An umbrella review of the evidence for equine‐assisted interventions

The Potential of Human–Horse Attachment in Creating Favorable Settings for Professional Care: A Study of Adolescents’ Visit to a Farm

Conceptualizing the Human–Animal Bond and Animal-Assisted Interventions

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