Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Equine-Assisted Therapy: An Overview

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Biotherapy - History, Principles and Practice

Abstract

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT), an umbrella term for various forms of therapy such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy and psychotherapy where a horse is part of the treatment team, is an emerging field internationally. The Federation for Horses in Education and Therapy International has members in 49 countries (Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI 2012)), and the number of educational programs offering training in this field is growing. In order for equine-assisted therapy to be established as a valid form of treatment and accepted as different from recreational activities involving horses, more research and information is needed. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of equine-assisted therapy including the history of the field and of the human-horse relationship, the current state of research, considerations for a general theoretical framework, and a review of equine-assisted therapy as physical therapy and as psychotherapy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ackerman S, Hilsenroth MJ (2003) A review of therapist characteristics and techniques positively impacting the therapeutic alliance. Clin Psychol Rev 23:1–33

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) (n.d.a) Hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. Retrieved from http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/hippotherapy/hippotherapy-as-a-treatment-strategy. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) (n.d.b) History of hippotherapy and AHA inc. Retrieved from http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/hippotherapy/history-of-hippotherapy. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • Anthony DW (2007) The horse, the wheel, and language. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachelor A, Laverdière O, Gamache D, Bordeleau V (2007) Clients’ collaboration in therapy: self-perceptions and relationships with client psychological functioning, interpersonal relations, and motivation. Psychotherapy 44(2):175–192

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bain AM (1965) Pony riding for the disabled. Physiotherapy 51(8):263–265

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beetz A, Kotrschal K, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Julius H (2011) Basic neurobiological and psychological mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of Equine Assisted Activities (EAA/T). HHRF grant 2011 – public report. Retrieved from http://www.horsesandhumans.org/Research_AwardedProjects.html. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Bizub AL, Joy A, Davidson L (2003) “It’s like being in another world”: demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with psychiatric disability. Psychiatr Rehabil J 26(4):377–384

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt N, Eklund E (2007) Häst – människa – samhälle: Om den nya hästhushållningens utveckling i Finland. Notat 1/2007, Forskningsinstitutet SSKH. Helsingfors: Helsingfors Universitet. Retrieved from http://sockom.helsinki.fi/info/notat/notat107.pdf. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Brock B (1997) Therapy on horseback: psychomotor and psychological change in physically disabled adults. In: Engel BT (ed) Rehabilitation with the help of a horse: a collection of studies. Barbara Engel Therapy Services, Durango, pp 107–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronson C, Brewerton K, Ong J, Palanca C, Sullivan S (2010) Does hippotherapy improve balance in persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 46(3):347–353

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks SM (2006) Animal-assisted psychotherapy and equine-facilitated psychotherapy. In: Webb N (ed) Working with traumatized youth in child welfare. Guilford Press, New York, pp 196–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosse AL, Sheets ES, Lett HS, Blumenthal JA (2002) Exercise and the treatment of clinical depression in adults: recent findings and future directions. Sports Med 32(12):741–760

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Budiansky S (1997) The nature of horses: exploring equine evolution, intelligence and behavior. Free Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals (CBEIP) (2008) State of the art report. Retrieved from http://www.cbeip.com/. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Cohen SP (2010) Loss of a therapy animal: assessment and healing. In: Fine AH (ed) Handbook of animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Academic, San Diego, pp 441–456

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cook R (1997) The effects of developmental riding therapy on a client with post-traumatic brain injury: a single-case study. In: Engel BT (ed) Rehabilitation with the help of a horse: a collection of studies. Barbara Engel Therapy Services, Durango, pp 249–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsches Kuratorium für Therapeutisches Reiten (DKThR) (n.d.) Bereiche im Therapeutischen Reiten. Retrieved from http://www.dkthr.de/dkthrfakten.php?n2=therapie. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • Durant G (1878) Horse-back riding from a medical point of view. Cassell, Fetter & Galpin, New York. Retrieved from http://www.archive.org/stream/horsebackridingf00durarich/horsebackridingf00durarich_djvu.txt. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • Esbjorn RJ (2006) When horses heal: a qualitative inquiry into equine facilitated psychotherapy. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto

    Google Scholar 

  • Fachgruppe Arbeit mit dem Pferd in der Psychotherapie (FAPP) (n.d.) Geschichte und entwicklung der FAPP. Retrieved from http://www.fapp.net/treff1.htm. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI) (2012) Current members. Retrieved from http://www.frdi.net/membership_list.html. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI) (n.d.) Equine-assisted activities. Retrieved from http://www.frdi.net/EAA.html. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Fine AH (2010) Incorporating animal-assisted therapy into psychotherapy: guidelines and suggestions for therapists. In: Fine AH (ed) Handbook of animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Academic, San Diego, pp 169–191

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fine AH, Mio JS (2010) The role of AAT in clinical practice: the importance of demonstrating empirically oriented psychotherapies. In: Fine AH (ed) Handbook of animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Academic, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick JC, Tebay JM (1998) Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding: an international review. In: Wilson C, Turner D (eds) Companion animals in human health. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, pp 41–58

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fleck CA (1997) Hippotherapy: mechanics of human walking and horseback riding. In: Engel BT (ed) Rehabilitation with the help of a horse: a collection of studies. Barbara Engel Therapy Services, Durango, pp 155–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Frame DL (2006) Practices of therapists using equine facilitated/assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of adolescents diagnosed with depression: a qualitative study. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, New York University School of Social Work, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Frewin K, Gardiner B (2005) New age or old sage? a review of equine assisted psychotherapy. Aust J Couns Psychol 6:13–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Gehrke E, Baldwin A, Schiltz P (2011) Heart rate variability in horses engaged in equine-assisted activities. J Equine Vet Sci 31:78–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahn C (2004) Behavior and the brain. In: McGreevy P (ed) Equine behavior: a guide for veterinarians and equine scientists. Saunders, London, pp 55–85

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hallberg L (2008) Walking the way of the horse: exploring the power of the horse-human relationship. iUniverse, Bloomington

    Google Scholar 

  • Hänggi EB (1999) Categorization learning in the horse (Equus caballus). J Comp Psychol 113(3):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanna FJ, Hanna CA, Keys SG (1999) Fifty strategies for counseling defiant, aggressive adolescents: reaching, accepting, and relating. J Couns Dev 77:395–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayden A (2005) An exploration of the experiences of adolescents who participated in equine facilitated psychotherapy: a resiliency perspective. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Alliant International University, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Heine B (1997) Hippotherapy. A multisystem approach to the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Aust J Physiother 43:145–149

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heleski CR, Anthony R (2012) Science alone is not always enough: the importance of ethical assessment for a more comprehensive view of equine welfare. J Vet Behav Clin Appl Res 7(3):169–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Intresseföreningen för Ridterapi (IRT) (n.d) Ridterapi. Retrieved from http://www.irt-ridterapi.se/ridterapi.html. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Johns C (2006) Horses: history, myth, art. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser LK, Heleski CR, Siegford J, Smith KA (2006) Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program. J Am Vet Med Assoc 228:39–45

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karol J (2007) Applying a traditional individual psychotherapy model to equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP): theory and method. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 12(1):77–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Katcher A, Wilkins G (1993) Dialogue with animals: its nature and culture. In: Kellert SR, Wilson EO (eds) The biophilia hypothesis. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin AH (2010) Methodological standards and strategies for establishing the evidence base of animal-assisted therapies. In: Fine AH (ed) Handbook of animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Academic, San Diego, pp 563–578

    Google Scholar 

  • Klüwer C (2009) Introduction. In: Fachgruppe Arbeit mit dem Pferd in der Psychotherapie (ed) Equine facilitated psychotherapy: case studies and international reports. FNverlag, Warendorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohanov L (2001) The tao of equus. New World Library, Novato

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruger KA, Serpell JA (2010) Animal-assisted interventions in mental health: definitions and theoretical foundations. In: Fine AH (ed) Handbook of animal-assisted therapy: theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Academic, San Diego, pp 33–48

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Largo-Wright E (2011) Cultivating healthy places and communities: evidenced-based nature contact recommendations. Int J Environ Health Res 21(1):41–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson B (1961) The dog as a “co-therapist”. Ment Hyg 46:59–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson B (1969) Pet-oriented child psychotherapy. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield

    Google Scholar 

  • Macauley BL, Gutierrez KM (2004) The effectiveness of hippotherapy for children with language-learning disabilities. Commun Disord Q 25:205–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKinnon JR, Noh S, Laliberte D, Lariviere J, Allan DE (1995) Therapeutic horseback riding: a review of the literature. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 15:1–15

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maclean N, Pound P (2000) A critical review of the concept of patient motivation in the literature on physical rehabilitation. Soc Sci Med 50(4):495–506

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magner D (1887/2004) Classic encyclopedia of the horse. Book Sales Inc, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin DJ, Garske JP, Davis K (2000) Relation of the therapeutic alliance with outcome and other variables: a meta-analytic review. J Consult Clin Psychol 68(3):438–450

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mata J, Thompson RJ, Jaeggi SM, Buschkuehl M, Jonides J, Gotlib IH (2012) Walk on the bright side: physical activity and affect in major depressive disorder. J Abnorm Psychol 121(2):297–308

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McConnell PJ (2010) National survey on equine assisted therapy: an exploratory study of current practitioners and programs. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Walden University, Minneapolis

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormick A, McCormick M (1997) Horse sense and the human heart. Health Communications, Deerfield Beach

    Google Scholar 

  • McGreevy PD, McLean AD (2010) Equitation science. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxon

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller RM, Lamb R (2005) The revolution in horsemanship and what it means to mankind. The Lyons Press, Guilford

    Google Scholar 

  • Montague A (1971) Touching: the human significance of the skin. Columbia University, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Münchner Schule für Psychotherapeutisches Reiten (n.d.) Definition – Entwicklung der Münchner schule für psychotherapeutisches reiten. Retrieved from http://www.psychotherapeutisches-reiten.de/Frameset.html. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (n.d) NICHD funding by state: Washington for 2011 (Patricia Pendry). Retrieved from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/budget/Pages/fundstate.aspx. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Nicol CJ (2002) Equine learning: progress and suggestions for future research. Appl Anim Behav Sci 78(2):193–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Opgen-Rhein C, Klaeschen M, Dettling M (2011) Pferdegestuetzte Therapie bei psychischen Erkrankungen. Schattauer GmbH, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Österreichischen Kuratorium für Therapeutisches Reiten (OKTR) (n.d.) Hippotherapie. Retrieved from http://www.oktr.at/pub/hippo/hippo_base.php?tab=11. Accessed 12 Oct 2012

  • Outram AK, Stear NA, Bendrey R, Olsen S, Kasparov A, Zaibert V, Thorpe N, Evershed RP (2009) The earliest horse harnessing and milking. Science 323(5919):1332–1335

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phelan JE (2009) Exploring the use of touch in the psychotherapeutic setting: a phenomenological review. Psychother Theory Res Pract Train 46(1):97–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickeral T (2005) The encyclopedia of horses and ponies. Parragon, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickeral T (2008) The horse: 30,000 years of the horse in art. Merrell, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATHIntl.) (n.d.) EAAT definitions. Retrieved from http://www.pathintl.org/resources-education/resources/eaat/193-eaat-definitions. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • Purjesalo K (1991) Ratsastus hoito- ja kuntoutusmuotona. Tampereen Yliopisto, Tampere

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyle AA (2006) Stress responses in horses used for hippotherapy. Unpublished master’s thesis, Texas Technical University, Lubbock. http://repositories.tdl.org/ttu-ir/handle/2346/11442. Accessed 23 Oct 2012

  • Rethorst CD, Wipfli BM, Landers DM (2009) The antidepressive effects of exercise: a meta-analysis of randomized trials. Sports Med 39(6):491–511

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Root A (2000) Equine-assisted therapy: a healing arena for myth and method. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Carpinteria

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheidhacker M (2009) Searching for the whole (healing) center. In: Fachgruppe Arbeit mit dem Pferd in der Psychotherapie (ed) Equine facilitated psychotherapy: case studies and international reports. FNverlag, Warendorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz M (1999) Remedial and psychomotor aspects of the human movement and its development: a theoretical approach to developmental riding. Sci Educ J Ther Riding 7:44–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Schweizer Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K® (n.d.) Was ist Hippotherapie-K®? Retrieved from http://www.hippotherapie-k.org/index.php?id=39. Accessed 23 Dec 2012

  • Selby A (2009) A systematic review of the effects of psychotherapy involving equines. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Texas, Austin

    Google Scholar 

  • Snider L, Korner-Bitensky N, Kamman C, Warner S, Saleh M (2007) Horseback riding as therapy for children with cerebral palsy: is there evidence of its effectiveness? Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 27(2):5–23

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sokolof M (2009) Treating abuse with the help of a horse. In: Fachgruppe Arbeit mit dem Pferd in der Psychotherapie (ed) Equine facilitated psychotherapy: case studies and international reports. FNverlag, Warendorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Spink J (1993) Developmental riding therapy: a team approach to assessment and treatment. Therapy Skill Builders, Tucson

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterba JA (2007) Does horseback riding therapy or therapist-directed hippotherapy rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy? Dev Med Child Neurol 49(1):68–73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss I (1995) Hippotherapy: neurophysiological therapy on the horse (trans: Takeuchi M). Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (original work published in 1991), Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss I (1998) Hippotherapy: its unique position within physiotherapy. In: Deutsches Kuratorium für Therapeutisches Reiten (ed) Therapeutic riding in Germany: selected contributions from the special brochures of the DKThR. DKThR, Warendorf, pp 15–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Suthers-McCabe HM, Albano L (n.d.) Evaluation of stress response of horses in equine assisted therapy programs. Center for Animal Human Relationships. Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Study results available at http://www.petpartners.org/Document.Doc?id=268. Accessed 23 Oct 2012

  • Thompson-Coon J, Boddy K, Stein K, Whear R, Barton J, Depledge MH (2011) Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review. Environ Sci Technol 45(5):1761–1772

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uchiyama H, Ohtani N, Ohta M (2011) Three-dimensional analysis of horse and human gaits in therapeutic riding. Appl Anim Behav Sci 135(4):271–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidrine M, Owen-Smith P, Faulkner P (2002) Equine-facilitated group psychotherapy: applications for therapeutic vaulting. Issues Ment Health Nurs 23(6):587–603

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weber A (1998) Hippotherapy for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. In: Deutsches Kuratorium für Therapeutisches Reiten (ed) Therapeutic riding in Germany: selected contributions from the special brochures of the DKThR. DKThR, Warendorf, pp 22–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitely R (2009) Therapeutic benefits of equine assisted psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EO (1984) Biophilia. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Yrjölä M-L (2009) The horse as a good object in long-term psychotherapy. In: Fachgruppe Arbeit mit dem Pferd in der Psychotherapie (FAPP) (ed) Equine facilitated psychotherapy: case studies and international reports. FNverlag, Warendorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Zadnikar M, Kastrin A (2011) Effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding on postural control or balance in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol 53(8):684–691

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zamir T (2006) The moral basis of animal assisted therapy. Soc Anim 14(2):179–198

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Equine-assisted Mental Health, Associate Faculty, Counseling Psychology, Master of Arts Program, Prescott College, 220 Grove Avenue, Prescott, AZ, 86301, USA

    Nina Ekholm Fry MSSc (Director)

Authors
  1. Nina Ekholm Fry MSSc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nina Ekholm Fry MSSc .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. and Semmelweis Clinic, Institute of Pathology and Microbiology, Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Juchgasse 25, Vienna, 1030, Austria

    Martin Grassberger

  2. & Research Foundation, BioTherapeutics, Education, Urey Court 36, Irvine, 92617, California, USA

    Ronald A. Sherman

  3. , Preclinic Dentistry and Physiotherapy, Perm State Academy of Medicine, Revolution Street 4-135, Perm, 614007, Russia

    Olga S. Gileva

  4. , Graduate School of Integrated Medicine, CHA University, Yatapdong, Bundanggu 222, Seongnam, Gyeongghido, 463-836, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Christopher M.H. Kim

  5. Hadassah Medical School, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Hebrew University -, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fry, N.E. (2013). Equine-Assisted Therapy: An Overview. In: Grassberger, M., Sherman, R., Gileva, O., Kim, C., Mumcuoglu, K. (eds) Biotherapy - History, Principles and Practice. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6585-6_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6585-6_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-6584-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6585-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation