Equine Therapy: A Few Good Studies, by Claire Dorotik

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Equine therapy studies are hard to find. And perhaps even more challenging to find are studies that utilize sound research protocol. Of course this leaves many well intentioned mental health practitioners to question the validity of equine therapy. On the other hand, there are many potential recipients of equine therapy who wish that there insurance company would cover equine work so that they may partake in it.

So, that being said, let’s take a look at a few good equine therapy studies:

http://www.animalsandsociety.org/assets/library/736_s3.pdf

Looking at the outcomes of 31 participants in an equine-assisted experiential therapy program, this article describes the intervention and the psychological measures that were completed prior to treatment, immediately following treatment and 6 months after treatment. After discussing the results of the study, the article also delves into the clinical implications and limitations of the study, and makes suggestions for further research.

www.pugetsound.edu/files/resources/2804_Gamache2004.rtf

This article asks the question, “For elementary school aged children with disabilities, does participation in equine-assisted therapy improve social skills and attention?”, and then compares seven separate studies of children, ages 6-12 years, with the presence of at least one disability (physical, developmental, psychosocial, or behavioral). The studies are compared based upon level of evidence, ranked I-V, the sample size, the intervention, and the summary of results (being qualitative or quantitative).

http://www.kaytrotter.com/products/KST_JCMH_article.pdf

Comparing equine assisted counseling to classroom based counseling, 164 students identified as high risk for academic or social failure participated in 12 weekly counseling sessions. Pre- and post-treatment scores are then compared in 17 different behavior areas using within group and between group comparisons.

While only three studies are mentioned here, numerous accountings of anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of work with horses amounts. Additionally, compared to the lifespan of traditional psychotherapy, it is safe to say that equine facilitated psychotherapy is in its infancy. However, man’s love of horses is clearly not.

Best,
Claire Dorotik LMFT

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