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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(12); 3527; doi: 10.3390/ani11123527

Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients.

Abstract: Different welfare indicators were studied in three patients with psychomotor alterations and in two horses throughout 9-10 equine assisted therapy sessions in each patient. In horses, heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, temperature and behavioral signs were studied. In patients, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, sleep quality, psychomotor and emotional parameters were analyzed. Data collection was recorded in the anticipatory phase (15 min before the start of the session), two interaction phases (after 30 min of horse-patient interaction on the ground and on horseback, respectively) and the recovery phase (15 min after the end of the session). During the anticipatory phase, most of physiological parameters of patients and horses and the stress behavioral signs of horses increased, followed by a relaxing phase during the horse-patient interaction on the ground. In horse-patient riding phase the heart and respiratory rates of the horses again increased. These results showed that the horses did not seem to suffer stress attributable to the therapy sessions, but only an increase in their parameters associated with activity and external stimuli. The patients improved their gross and fine motor skills, their cognitive and perceptual-sensitive parameters and it led to an improvement in the life quality of their families.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-10 PubMed ID: 34944303PubMed Central: PMC8698107DOI: 10.3390/ani11123527Google 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.

This research article explores the physiological impact of equine assisted therapy on both human patients with psychomotor disorders and the therapy horses involved. It found that while the therapy activities resulted in increased physiological stimulation for the horses, it did not cause them stress, and it positively influenced the patients’ motor skills and led to an improvement in their families’ quality of life.

Methodology

  • The research involved three patients with psychomotor alterations and two therapy horses. The study observed nine to ten equine assisted therapy sessions for each patient.
  • The researchers studied different welfare indicators in both horses and patients. For horses, they measured heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, temperature, and any observed behavior indicative of stress. For patients, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, sleep quality, psychomotor skills, and emotional parameters were noted.
  • Data collection happened in four phases: the anticipatory phase (15 minutes before the start of the session), two interaction phases (after 30 minutes of patient-horse interaction on the ground and on horseback respectively), and the recovery phase (15 minutes after the end of the session).

Findings

  • In the anticipatory phase, most physiological parameters of both the patients and the horses, as well as stress behavior signs in horses, increased. This was followed by a period of relaxation during the patient-horse interaction phase on the ground.
  • During the riding phase, the heart and respiratory rates of the horses increased again, but this was associated with the increased physical activity and external stimuli rather than any stress linked to the therapy session.
  • Patients showed improvement in gross and fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and perceptual-sensitive parameters. This improvement also positively affected their families’ quality of life.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that while there is a natural increase in certain physiological parameters in horses during equine assisted therapy, it does not cause them stress. This is an important finding as it reinforces the welfare of therapy animals involved.
  • In terms of patients with psychomotor disorders, the therapy showed clear benefits. It enhanced their motor skills, cognitive functions, and perceptual-sensitive skills, leading to improved quality of life for them and their families.

Cite This Article

APA
Ayala MD, Carrillo A, Iniesta P, Ferrer P. (2021). Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients. Animals (Basel), 11(12), 3527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123527

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 12
PII: 3527

Researcher Affiliations

Ayala, María Dolores
  • Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Carrillo, Andrea
  • Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Iniesta, Pilar
  • Centauro-Quirón Foundation, Camino Salitre, 28, Junto al Río Mula, Alguazas, 30560 Murcia, Spain.
Ferrer, Pedro
  • Centauro-Quirón Foundation, Camino Salitre, 28, Junto al Río Mula, Alguazas, 30560 Murcia, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Sivagurunathan R, Senathirajah ARBS, Sivagurunathan L, Arokiasamy L, Qazi S, Haque R, Su Y. Equine-assisted learning and leadership transformation: an exploratory qualitative study of workplace behavior. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1700029.
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  2. Geibel MA, Kildal D, Geibel AM, Ott S. Hippotherapy in the Treatment of CMD and Bruxism in Dentistry. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 3;15(17).
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  4. Fletcher KA, Padalino B, Felici M, Bigi D, Limon-Vega G, Grist A, Gibson TJ. Assessment of ante mortem welfare indicators and the pathophysiology of captive-bolt trauma in equids at slaughter. Anim Welf 2024;33:e65.
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  5. Fletcher K, Limon G, Agongo E, Akunzule A, Essel G, Padalino B, Grist A, Gibson TJ. Assessment of Donkey (Equus asinus) Welfare at Slaughter in Ghana. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 19;14(24).
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