The Horse as a Therapist: Effects of an Equine Program Without “Therapy” on the Attention and Behavior of Youth Disengaged from Traditional School.
Abstract: Equine-assisted therapy may promote positive behavior change in young people "at risk." However, it is not always clear what therapeutic content is involved and if a trained therapist is included. The therapeutic effects of the key part of the "therapy," the horse, are not understood. To investigate the impact of an equine program without a therapist on attention and behavioral outcomes of young people "at risk." A within subjects pre-post design. A small sample also completed a control period. A small riding center in a rural area of outer Brisbane, Australia. Twelve- to 17-year olds ( = 50; 20 girls; mean age 13.88), attending nontraditional flexischool. A 5-week program of 2-h long sessions of equine activities that did not include a trained therapist or specific therapeutic content. Teacher-report measures of externalizing and internalizing behavior were reported before and after the program through the (BRIEF) and the (SDQ). A paired samples test resulted in the statistically significant reduction of the between pre and post participation in the equine program (mean difference = -5.89), (36) = -3.377, = 0.002 and the score (mean difference = -0.727), (43) = -2.244, = 0.030. Equine activities may reverse a trajectory of worsening problems. This may especially affect symptoms related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Equine programs may offer an alternative method to reduce poor behavior and improve attention in young people. Benefits in attention may occur even without specific therapeutic content or therapist involvement. It is proposed that some of these benefits come directly from the horse and the interactions with the horse; others are contextual.
Publication Date: 2021-05-04 PubMed ID: 33945293DOI: 10.1089/acm.2020.0500Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the impacts of an equine program, devoid of trained therapy or specific therapeutic content, on the behavior and attention span of ‘at-risk’ young individuals.
Summary of the Research
In this study, researchers are exploring the positive behavioral changes that a therapeutic program with horses can inflict on at-risk young individuals, irrespective of the presence of trained therapists or specific therapeutic guideline. The aim is to understand the stand-alone therapeutic effects of horses in promoting behavioral change and attention among youth.
Research Methodology
- The study employs a within-subject pre-post design with a smaller sample also undergoing a control period.
- The location of the experiment is a small riding center in a rural area located in outer Brisbane, Australia.
- The participants of the study are twelve to seventeen-year-olds (total = 50; 20 girls; mean age 13.88), who were attending a nontraditional flexischool.
- The experiment is a 5-week program of 2-hour long sessions of horse-related activities, missing the presence of a trained therapist or any detailed therapeutic program.
- Measurements of external and internal behavioral were made before and after the program, using teacher-report measures and standard evaluations like the Behavior Evaluation Inventory (BRIEF) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Findings of the Research
- The study reveals a statistically significant reduction in the behavior evaluation inventory and SDQ scores between pre and post participation in the equine program.
- The findings imply that equine activities may help in reversing a trajectory of worsening problems, particularly related to symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- According to the results, equine programs could present an alternative way to decrease poor behavior and improve attention in young individuals.
- It is hypothesized that these positive outcomes are partly due to the horse and the interactions with the horse, and partly due to the context in which these interactions take place.
Cite This Article
APA
Norwood MF, Lakhani A, Maujean A, Downes M, Fullagar S, Barber BL, Kendall E.
(2021).
The Horse as a Therapist: Effects of an Equine Program Without “Therapy” on the Attention and Behavior of Youth Disengaged from Traditional School.
J Altern Complement Med, 27(8), 678-687.
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0500 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Institute Queensland, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Australia.
- The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Institute Queensland, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Australia.
- The School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.
- Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.
- Department of Tourism, Sport & Hotel Management, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith Health, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia.
- The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Institute Queensland, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Animals
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
- Executive Function
- Horses
- Humans
- Schools
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Tepper D, Shnookal J, Howell T, Bennett P. Can Interacting with Animals Improve Executive Functions? A Systematic Review.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 23;13(13).
- Corallo F, Bonanno L, Cardile D, Luvarà F, Giliberto S, Di Cara M, Leonardi S, Quartarone A, Rao G, Pidalà A. Improvement of Self-Esteem in Children with Specific Learning Disorders after Donkey-Assisted Therapy.. Children (Basel) 2023 Feb 22;10(3).
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