Multispecies Occupations Involving Equines: An Action-Oriented Inquiry to Inform Occupational Therapy Practitioners.

This research investigates the interaction between humans and horses in a non-therapeutic context and the impact of these interactions on occupational therapy. The study uses interviews and videos to understand the nature and experience of these interactions.

Research Aim and Methodology

• The study aims to understand multispecies occupations (MSO) featuring interactions between humans and horses. It seeks to delve into physical and social transactions that occur among these dyads (pairs), specifically in non-therapeutic and outdoor settings.
• The researchers adopted a multi-modal qualitative design and conducted interviews combined with videography. By doing so, they hoped to examine the nuances of human-horse engagement beyond anthropocentric norms, i.e., they sought to understand such engagement without solely focusing on human perspectives and interpretations.
• In total, the study involved six horse-human pairs, effectively allowing the researchers to closely observe and understand the various dimensions of their interactions.

Key Findings

• The findings from the study pointed to distinct features relevant to a specific dyad’s occupation. These included aspects of embodied communication, behavioral synchrony, and a sense of connection or attunement resulting from the observed interactions.
• Embodied communication is a concept that implies an exchange of information between parties through non-verbal methods, such as gestures, movements, or touch. In the context of this study, this might refer to how a person communicates with a horse through bodily actions.
• Behavioral synchrony suggests that the horse and human seem to mirror each other’s activities or behavior, indicating a level of mutual understanding or connection.
• Attunement refers to a perceived psychological connection or emotional harmony attained through these processes. It encompasses the understanding and responsiveness between the human and horse during their interaction.

Implications for Occupational Therapy

• The study provides nascent insights into multispecies occupations (MSO) and its implications for occupational therapy. This broader understanding of MSO could bring innovative perspectives to the nature and experience of interventions involving animals in occupational therapy.
• Additionally, this research lays the groundwork for better understanding the mechanisms that could drive positive change while incorporating animals, particularly horses, in therapy sessions. Therefore, these findings help to enhance the effectiveness and potential benefits of occupational therapy interventions involving animals.