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Home / Equine Research Bank / Behav Sci (Basel) / Physiological and Behavioral Benefits for People and Horses ...
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)2021; 11(10); 129; doi: 10.3390/bs11100129

Physiological and Behavioral Benefits for People and Horses during Guided Interactions at an Assisted Living Residence.

Abstract: Assisted living is a fast-growing living option for seniors who require residence-based activities for maintaining mental and physical health. Guided equine interactions may benefit seniors, so an on-site equine program was started at Hacienda at the River senior living community. For research purposes, twenty-four residents and associates, aged fifty-five or over, consented to physiological measurements before, during and after four guided sessions of stroking one of three horses for 10 min over 4-6 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured simultaneously in humans and horses during interactions. We hypothesized that human heart rate (HR) and HRV would increase during stroking and HRV power would shift toward the very low frequency (VLF) range common in horses, indicative of healthy function. During stroking, human HR increased ( < 0.05) but HRV (SDRR) and %VLF of HRV power did not change. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), an exploratory measure, significantly increased after stroking, consistent with arousal. Two horses showed no significant changes in HR or HRV, but one relaxed. Sixteen horse-human pairs demonstrated synchronized HRV peak frequencies during sessions, suggestive of social connection. Participants used more positive than negative words describing their experience during exit interviews ( < 0.05). These data show that horses animate seniors without causing emotional stress and provide opportunities for social bonding.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-23 PubMed ID: 34677222PubMed Central: PMC8533143DOI: 10.3390/bs11100129Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is about a study conducted at Hacienda at the River senior living community, where guided interactions with horses were made part of the residents’ routine to study the physiological and behavioral effects on them and the horses. The result showed that these interactions, although they increased human heart rate and blood pressure, did not trigger stress and instead facilitated better social relationships.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The research aimed to explore the potential benefits of assisted living residents interacting with horses.
  • The study involved 24 residents who were 55 years or older. They were asked to stroke one of three horses for 10 minutes during four guided sessions spread over 4-6 weeks.
  • Various physiological parameters, like heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), were measured in both humans and horses before, during, and after the interactions.
  • The researchers hypothesized that human heart rate would increase during the stroking activity and that the HRV would shift toward the very low-frequency range common in horses, indicating healthy function.

Findings

  • The study’s findings confirmed the researchers’ hypothesis about the increase in human heart rate, but HRV did not change significantly.
  • Also, human diastolic blood pressure, another measure of physiological response, increased after stroking the horses, indicating arousal, not stress.
  • While two horses didn’t show any significant changes in heart rate or HRV, one appeared relaxed.
  • Another significant observation was that 16 of the horse-human pairs showed synchronized HRV peak frequencies during the sessions, suggesting a social connection between them.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that horse-human interactions can stimulate seniors physically without causing emotional distress, proving a healthy activity for this age group.
  • Additionally, these interactions can foster social bonding and create a positive experience–as reflected in the participants’ use of more positive than negative words when describing their experience during exit interviews.

Implications

  • This study’s findings imply that animal-assisted interventions could be incorporated into senior living communities to improve residents’ physical and social well-being.
  • Further research could explore specific activities with horses or other animals and their subsequent effects on group dynamics and individual health in assisted living communities.

Cite This Article

APA
Baldwin AL, Rector BK, Alden AC. (2021). Physiological and Behavioral Benefits for People and Horses during Guided Interactions at an Assisted Living Residence. Behav Sci (Basel), 11(10), 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11100129

Publication

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-328X
NlmUniqueID: 101576826
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 10
PII: 129

Researcher Affiliations

Baldwin, Ann Linda
  • Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Rector, Barbara Kathleen
  • Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Alden, Ann Calfee
  • Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.

Grant Funding

  • NA / Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors have any personal, financial, potential or actual conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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  3. Jung Y, Yoon M. The Effects of Human-Horse Interactions on Oxytocin and Cortisol Levels in Humans and Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 21;15(7).
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