Equine-assisted coaching in formerly incarcerated men with histories of substance abuse: a 12-week exploratory study of anger regulation, quality of life, human-horse synchrony, and equine behavior.

Overview

• This study explored the effects of a 12-week equine-assisted coaching program on anger regulation, quality of life, and interaction between humans and horses in formerly incarcerated men with histories of substance abuse.
• The research also examined how the horses behaved during the program to ensure their welfare from a One Health perspective.

Background and Objectives

• Equine-assisted interventions are therapeutic activities that involve interaction with horses to support mental health and psychosocial functioning.
• Such interventions have been used increasingly, but there is limited empirical research focusing on justice-involved populations, especially those with substance abuse histories.
• The study aimed to assess if equine-assisted coaching affects participants’ anger regulation, quality of life, and the synchrony—which means coordinated behavioral patterns—between humans and horses.
• Additionally, the study aimed to monitor horse behavior to ensure animals’ welfare, applying the One Health approach which recognizes interconnected health of people, animals, and environment.

Study Design and Methods

• Participants: Eleven formerly incarcerated men living in a residential reintegration facility in the Netherlands.
• Duration: 12-week coaching program involving equine-assisted activities.
• Measurements:
  • Anger regulation was measured using the Anger Bodily Sensations Questionnaire (self-report).
  • Quality of life was assessed with PROMIS-29 v2.0 Profile, covering domains such as anxiety, depression, and social functioning.
  • Human-horse synchrony and horse behavior were analyzed through structured video observations during sessions.
• Data collection happened at baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the program (post-intervention).

Key Findings—Participant Outcomes

• Group-Level Results:
  • No statistically significant overall changes were found in anger regulation or quality of life scores when comparing pre- and post-intervention.
  • Mean anger regulation scores showed a slight increase, but this was not statistically significant.
• Individual-Level Results (Reliable Change Index analysis):
  • Anger Regulation:
    • 40% of participants showed reliable improvement.
    • 20% showed deterioration.
    • 40% showed no reliable change.
  • Quality of Life Domains (PROMIS scores):
    • 64% experienced decreases in anxiety.
    • 45% experienced decreases in depression.
    • 36% showed improvements in social functioning.
    • Other domains showed mixed results or remained stable.

Findings—Human-Horse Synchrony and Equine Behavior

• Synchrony between participants and horses was analyzed on a smaller subsample due to data availability.
• Findings indicated:
  • Increases in both frequency and duration of synchrony during the initial sessions, suggesting growing relational attunement between human and horse.
  • A decrease in synchrony during the final session, possibly indicating changes in relational dynamics over time.
• Equine Behavior Observations:
  • Considerable variation in horse behavior was observed across sessions.
  • Negatively coded behaviors (e.g., signs that might indicate discomfort or stress) occurred more frequently than positively coded behaviors.
  • However, these behaviors should be interpreted within context and not automatically seen as signs of poor welfare.

Interpretation and Implications

• The program might help individuals enhance emotional awareness and psychosocial functioning, especially evident at an individual rather than group level.
• Relational attunement—meaning developing a connection and synchrony with the horse—was supported, which may be therapeutic for participants.
• Given considerable variability across individuals, personalized approaches may be beneficial.
• The study highlights the importance of monitoring horse behavior systematically to ensure animal welfare in animal-assisted interventions.
• The One Health perspective—which considers human and animal well-being intertwined—was valuable in this context.
• Findings support the potential complementary role of equine-assisted coaching in rehabilitation of justice-involved populations with histories of substance abuse, but further research with larger samples and controlled designs is needed.

Limitations

• Small sample size (n=11) limits generalizability.
• Absence of a control group limits causal inference about the program’s effects.
• Some behavioral analyses were done on smaller subsamples due to data constraints.
• Varied responses between individuals highlight heterogeneity that needs further exploration.

Conclusion

• This exploratory study suggests that 12 weeks of equine-assisted coaching can support select aspects of emotional regulation and quality of life at an individual level in formerly incarcerated men with substance abuse histories.
• Relational synchrony with horses may play an important therapeutic role.
• Monitoring and understanding the welfare of horses engaged in such interventions is essential to ethically inform and optimize these programs.