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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / The Potential of Human-Horse Attachment in Creating Favorabl...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(9); 1707; doi: 10.3390/ani10091707

The Potential of Human-Horse Attachment in Creating Favorable Settings for Professional Care: A Study of Adolescents’ Visit to a Farm.

Abstract: Previous research has shown features of an attachment bond to be fulfilled in, for instance, human-dog dyads; however, there is a considerable lack of research on the potential attachment in human-horse relationships. Employing Bowlby's criteria of an attachment bond and Pierce's model of therapeutically powerful activity, this article studies whether short-term exposure to horses brings about elements of emerging attachment for adolescents and if this interaction holds potential in creating a favorable early-stage setting for professional care. It draws from group discussions carried out with nine 16-17-year-old adolescents who participated in an EASEL (Equine-Assisted Social and Emotional Learning) session when visiting a farm with a youth worker. A qualitative content analysis of the discussions revealed that some characteristics of the four principal criteria of an attachment bond-proximity maintenance, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress-were identifiable in the adolescents' expressed experiences of observing and interacting with horses. Moreover, the three main sources of therapeutic power-appeal, accuracy, and intactness-intersected with the emerging development of the adolescents' attachment to horses. Additionally, space for self-reflection was enhanced by the presence of the horses. The study offers insights into the potential of human-horse attachment in dealing with adolescents with and without special needs for various therapy and care purposes.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-21 PubMed ID: 32967140PubMed Central: PMC7552679DOI: 10.3390/ani10091707Google 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 article explores how brief interactions with horses can lead to the development of an attachment bond in teenagers, and how this bond, in turn, can facilitate a favorable environment for therapeutic care. The study goes a step further to analyze the intersection between therapeutic power and the growing attachment to horses in adolescents, adding to the understanding of animal-assisted therapy.

Research Context and Objectives

  • The research paper dives into an underexplored area of animal-assisted therapy, particularly focusing on the human-horse relationships. The objective of this study was to determine whether short interactions with horses can inspire elements of an emerging attachment bond in teenagers.
  • The study also aimed to explore how this potential attachment could create a positive early-stage setting for therapeutic care. The clear understanding of this could pave the way for the enhanced use of animals for therapy and care purposes, especially for adolescents with special needs.

Methodology

  • The study primarily used qualitative content analysis of group discussions featuring nine 16-17-year-old adolescents who were part of an Equine-Assisted Social and Emotional Learning (EASEL) session during a farm visit.
  • This methodology helped in examining the adolescents’ expressed experiences of observing and interacting with the horses, thereby giving researchers an insight into any signs of forming attachments.

Key Findings

  • The analysis revealed evidence of the four main criteria of an attachment bond in the adolescents’ experiences. These criteria – proximity maintenance, safe haven, secure base, and separation distress – were evident in the way these teenagers related to the horses.
  • Further, the study identified three core sources of therapeutic power—appeal, accuracy, and intactness—and found a connection between these elements and the development of attachment to horses in the adolescents.
  • A critical additional finding was that the presence of horses seemed to enhance the space for self-reflection among adolescents, further boosting the therapeutic effects of the interaction.

Conclusion

  • The research sheds light on the potential role of human-horse attachment in helping adolescents, with or without special needs. The unique benefits highlighted by the study make a strong case for the inclusion of animal-assisted therapy in professional care settings.

Cite This Article

APA
Törmälehto E, Korkiamäki R. (2020). The Potential of Human-Horse Attachment in Creating Favorable Settings for Professional Care: A Study of Adolescents’ Visit to a Farm. Animals (Basel), 10(9), 1707. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091707

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
PII: 1707

Researcher Affiliations

Törmälehto, Erna
  • Faculty of Social Sciences, Pori Unit, Tampere University, PL/Po-Box 185, FI-28101 Pori, Finland.
Korkiamäki, Riikka
  • Faculty of Social Sciences, Pori Unit, Tampere University, PL/Po-Box 185, FI-28101 Pori, Finland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors of this paper have no personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Mattila-Rautiainen S, Venojärvi M, Rautiainen H, Keski-Valkama A. The impact on physical performance, pain and psychological wellbeing of chronic low back pain patients during 12-weeks of equine- facilitated therapy intervention. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1085768.
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  2. Baldwin AL, Rector BK, Alden AC. Physiological and Behavioral Benefits for People and Horses during Guided Interactions at an Assisted Living Residence. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021 Sep 23;11(10).
    doi: 10.3390/bs11100129pubmed: 34677222google scholar: lookup
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