Experiences of Military Veterans in a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program.

The study examines the experiences of 20 U.S. military veterans who participated in a 6-week therapeutic horseback riding (THR) program. All participants were diagnosed with either Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or both, and the findings suggest that therapeutic horseback riding may offer significant benefits, such as improved relaxation, social connection and mood alterations, with minor detracting factors like pain or struggle to participate in the program.

Study Participants and Methods

• The research participants were 20 military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or both. The decision to focus on these veterans was because PTSD is commonly experienced among this group.
• The veterans were involved in a 6-week therapeutic horseback riding program as a form of adjunct therapy for their conditions. The same horse was used for each veteran’s weekly riding session, scheduled on the same day and time.
• The data for this study were derived from a randomized clinical trial testing the effects of THR on PTSD, thus ensuring a regulated environment for analysis.

Data Analysis

• Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire which allowed the veterans to freely express their experiences and perceptions of the THR program.
• The method of content analysis was employed in analyzing the collected data. This qualitative research method allows for the categorization of text data into themes for easier interpretation and understanding.

Findings from the Study

• The benefits delineated by the veterans included forming a connection with the horse, finding the experience relaxing, experiencing a significant positive change (“180 Degree Change”), and meeting new people.
• Some drawbacks were identified as well, such as the effort required to participate in the program (“Struggle to Get There”), physical discomfort (“Pain”), the short duration of the program (“Too Short”), and the structured or regimented nature of the program (“It is Structured”).
• However, the overall perception of the program was overwhelmingly positive. The most frequent sentiments expressed were love for the program, developing feelings or emotional capacities (“Feel Again”), appreciation of the horse and the people in the program, and a sense of being worry-free (“No Worries”).

Implications of the Study

• The findings of the study help to explicate why the THR program could be therapeutically beneficial, especially for military veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI.
• It offers insight into the specific positive aspects of the program (like connection with animals, relaxation, and broader social interaction), as well as highlighting areas that may warrant improvement (like addressing physical discomfort or making the process less regimented).