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Equine-Facilitated Learning for Youths with Severe Emotional Disorders: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study

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Abstract

The present study quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the effects of an alternative therapeutic learning method on youths with severe emotional disorders (SED). The youths participated in a nine-week equine-facilitated learning program. Very little research exists investigating the effectiveness of utilizing horses in the therapeutic learning process. The present study encompasses three years of research on a unique program hypothesized to enhance traditional therapy and facilitate the learning process for youths with special needs.

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Correspondence to Pamelyn M. MacDonald.

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Ewing, C.A., MacDonald, P.M., Taylor, M. et al. Equine-Facilitated Learning for Youths with Severe Emotional Disorders: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study. Child Youth Care Forum 36, 59–72 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-006-9031-x

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