The topic of mental health and horses encompasses the therapeutic interactions between horses and humans. This area of research investigates the behavioral and physiological indicators of stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions affected by horses. It explores equine-assisted interventions, where horses are involved in therapeutic activities aimed at improving human mental health. Studies in this field often examine the effects of environment, management practices, and human-animal interactions on equine mental health. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the assessment, management, and implications of mental health related to horses, as well as the role of horses in therapeutic settings for humans.
Schmidt J, Wartenberg-Demand A, Forstmeier S.Preventive approaches for depression in adults aged 50 years and older have received little attention, despite increasing needs arising from demographic changes. In particular, subclinical depression is often underdiagnosed and associated with anxiety, a poorer quality of life, and greater need for assistance from the healthcare system. This multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III trial investigated if Equine-Assisted Biographical Work (EABW) is effective to improve subclinical depression. Qualified sites in Germany enrolled 52 participants ≥ 50 years (Full Analysis Set (FAS),...
Öztürk Z, Tozoğlu EÖ, Eymır M, Karakurt N, Ulusoy S.To examine the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy on symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia. Unassigned: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with individuals with schizophrenia registered at a community mental health center. The study involved 61 participants (30 in the intervention group, 31 in the control group). An 8-week equine-assisted therapeutic intervention was implemented for the intervention group. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Trait Anxiety Inventory...
Korkmaz Özgüngör ÖM, Lüleci D, Ergençoğlu SÇ, Bayindir ME, Kizil R, Demir C, Beyan AC.Jockeys endure considerable physical and psychological demands, rendering them vulnerable to occupational injuries such as fractures, concussions, and soft tissue damage. This descriptive case series presents the medical and occupational histories of three professional jockeys with long-term disabilities following work-related accidents. Each individual commenced their jockey career in early adolescence. All sustained head trauma from horse falls and had histories of hospitalization due to injuries incurred while riding. Documented injuries included rib, vertebral, clavicular, and upper extrem...
Lungren L, Mazzarella J, Mumbauer-Pisano J.This qualitative study explored healthcare students' lived experiences during an interprofessional education (IPE) event incorporating equine-assisted services (EAS). Traditional IPE events often rely on classroom settings that may limit interprofessional engagement, collaboration, and application. Utilizing interpretive phenomenological analysis, researchers examined how the equine environment influenced interprofessional learning among fourteen graduate students from diverse healthcare disciplines at a western United States public university. Participants engaged in experiential demonstratio...
Hernández-Espeso N, Bronchud LD, Bernabé-Valero G.: Anxiety is highly prevalent among individuals living with disability, chronic illness, or hospitalisation, yet it often remains insufficiently addressed in healthcare settings. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been proposed as a complementary intervention to reduce anxiety; however, existing evidence is fragmented across populations and methodologies. : A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024494109); no amendments were made to the protocol after registration. Four databases (Scopus, APA PsycInfo, Web of Sci...
Mota-Rojas D, Nannoni E, Strappini AC, Hernández-Avalos I, Martínez-Burnes J, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mora-Medina P, Abd El-Aziz AH, Olmos-Hernández A....Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are programs that incorporate animals as a therapeutic factor to improve human well-being. To date, these programs have been associated with significant physical and physiological benefits to human health. Animals have been incorporated as monitoring companions, such as diabetes-alert and seizure-alert dogs. Moreover, animal therapy for people with mental health issues, physical impairments, or autism spectrum disorders has shown social and communicative benefits. Although AAIs are proposed as a complementary treatment approach to humans with mental health ...
Gunnarsson AB, Aurin IE, Holmberg S.Animal-assisted and nature-based interventions in psychosocial treatment for various groups of clients have been studied internationally. However, there is little knowledge about how young adults with autism experience participation in such types of interventions. This clinical study aimed to describe the feasibility of animal-assisted and nature-based activities on a farm as a complementary intervention for young adults with autism and social withdrawal. Methods: The participants were aged 18-30 years, diagnosed with autism and social withdrawal, with no organised occupation during the prev...
