Interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation from the rehabilitees’ perspective – A phenomenological study.

This research study explored patients’ experiences of interaction during horse-assisted therapy, offering valuable insights into the role of these interactions in the rehabilitation process and emphasizing the significance of trust, understanding feelings, feeling competent, and empowerment.

Purpose of the Research

• The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of participants, both children and adults, during their engagement with equine-facilitated rehabilitation. The researchers wanted to explore the multidimensional role of interaction in this form of therapy and how it can contribute to the overall rehabilitation process.

Methodology

• The study utilized a phenomenological approach, which aims to examine lived experiences and the meanings individuals attach to them. This approach was considered suitable as it enables a deep exploration of the rehabilitees’ perspective.
• The sample comprised of six children and four adults who had individual diagnoses or reasons to participate in equine-facilitated rehabilitation.
• Each participant was interviewed individually, allowing the researchers to gather detailed, qualitative data about their experiences throughout the therapeutic process.
• The researchers then performed a Spiegelberg’s seven-phase meaning analysis on the data, a method that is designed to reveal the inherent meanings in the participants’ experiences.

Findings

• Analysis of the data revealed seven key meanings associated with the interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation: ‘Trust’, ‘Friendly horse’, ‘Mirror of feelings’, ‘Inspiring riding’, ‘Feeling competent’, ‘Rehabilitee-oriented approach’, and ‘Uniting experience’.
• Further, the essential meanings of the phenomenon formed three circles denoting the core themes that appeared central to the rehabilitation process: ‘circle of recognition’, ‘circle of supporting active agency’, and ‘circle of empowerment’.

Implications of the Research

• The findings of this study highlight the many ways that interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation can be crucial for rehabilitees. Notably, it suggests that these interactions play important roles in the entire rehabilitation process, the ultimate goal of which is to empower rehabilitees in their day-to-day lives.
• The identification of the integral themes and aspects can lead to the development of more effective and impactful therapeutic strategies for those involved in such therapies, thereby maximizing the benefits received by the participants.