The Efficacy of Equine Therapy

Klontz, Bradley, Alex Bivens, Deb Leinart, and Ted Klontz. “The effectiveness of equine-assisted experiential therapy: Results of an open clinical trial.” Society & Animals 15.3 (2007): 257-267.

            The research document outlines the efficacy of administering equine assisted experiential therapy. The article describes the approach that is used in this form of therapy. The report by Klontz presents outcomes of a study carried out on 31 participants in regards to the horse therapy and experiential program. The participants in the study were taken through psychological measures before treatment and then a treatment plan was administered and evaluated to check the effectiveness six months later. The results of the study reported a reduction in psychological stress and notable enhancement in the mental well-being of the participants during the six month follow-up after the treatment. The paper also discusses the clinical implications and the gaps that are present in the available studies and offers recommendations and directions for further research. The merits of the study include its long evaluation period and an adequate sample for an experimental study allowing for high validity and reliability. The study results also coincide with findings from previous researchers on the effectiveness of the therapy. The effectiveness of the study was also ensured through pre-experimentation evaluation and a detailed assessment of gaps in literature and clinical implications.   

            The article is not only useful in understanding the concept of equine-assisted experiential therapy but would also augment the understanding how the therapy is administered. Besides, it would help the research by giving factual evidence on the effectiveness of equine therapy based on the results of the implications that the therapy has on the participants. The clinical implications in the research paper are essential in comparing this type of therapy to other available therapies in the healthcare industry. The fact that it measures the gaps in the available researches implies that it gives direction in any intended research in regards to the experiential equine-assisted therapy.

Nelson, Angie, Tania Signal, and Rachel Wilson. ”Equine assisted therapy and learning.” Society & Animals 24.4 (2016): 337-357.

            Angie et al. provides an intricate look into the utilization of equine assisted therapy and learning in Australia. The article takes the reader through the variations that exist worldwide among the different Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) centers. The study evidences that there are various practices in the states in Australia where equine assisted therapy and learning are applied. These centers apply a range of principles, foundations, training and certification processes in the training of horses used in the equine assisted therapy and learning. Besides, this article by Nelson et al. try to deduce the implication of adopting this methodology of practice in many mental, health and learning institution and in the mainstream professional processes. The article presents a complex look into the practice of equine assisted therapy in Australia.

            While the authors provide useful information, it is evident the authors do not consider the theoretical underpinnings that would make the adaptation of this approach of therapy into the mainstream. Likewise, the article does not consider the likelihood of using horse therapy alongside other strategies of teaching and treatment of psychological issues. The researchers depict acknowledge on the implication of equine assisted therapy on mental illnesses but does not consider the importance the neurological issues associated with experiential therapy.

            The article is an important addition to the current research by providing the application of equine assisted therapy to learning. The study also provides a basis for the application of horse therapy to mainstream practice in solving psychological issues. The different centers and institutions presented in the article that utilize horse therapy provide strong evidence for the current study on the effectiveness of the treatment in improving physical health of the patients.

Coman, Drew, Margaret, Bass, Michael, Alessandri, Christine, Ghilain, and Maria, Llabre. ”Effect of Equine-Assisted Activities on Social and Sensory Functioning of Children with Autism.” Brill (2017).

            Coman et al. take the reader through replicated, randomized, and controlled trial of the equine therapy undertaken in a span of 12 weeks. The study looks at the intervention on the social and sensory functioning of children with neurological diseases mainly autism. The researchers collaborate with the caregivers i.e. the teachers and the parents to establish the efficacy of the therapy among children with sensory issues. The study carried out a multi-layered assessment of the outcomes to support the validity of the reports given by the caregivers. The reports provide an insight into the effectiveness of the treatment among children with autism as is seen in the improved functioning and social and sensory adaptation to the change in experience. The result of the study also indicates that the activities in equine assisted therapy are beneficial modality in delivering strategies for treating autism-specific complications.

            The information in the article highlights the efficacy of the equine assisted therapy among children with autism especially in forging sensory and social functioning. However, thw research does not consider other factors that may have influenced the children’s social breakdown and the neurological disorders associated with autism. Likewise, the article does not address the fact that there may be gaps in regards to research about the administration of equine-assisted therapy in helping children suffering from neurological disorders mainly autism in the development of their sensory and social functioning. Besides, it does not underscore the application of the therapy on other forms of neurological diseases. Generally, the article gives an explicit relationship on equine-assisted therapy and sensory and social functions of children living with autism.

            The study is an important addition to the current research by offering an in-depth review of the efficiency of horse therapy in a learning environment and application to children. The study aids in understanding the different aspects of therapy and how effective to conduct a study on the area. The study also provides an understanding of the salient aspects in horse therapy and augments the researcher’s comprehension of issues to consider including sampling and data analysis.    

Bachi, Keren. ”Equine-facilitated psychotherapy: The gap between practice and knowledge.” Society & Animals 20.4 (2012): 364-380.

            In this article, Keren Bachi underscores the fact that equine facilitated therapy is widely used. However, the author states that there are gaps in regards to the information available on this form of treatment and therapy. The study shows that despite horse therapy improving as a form of treatment, there is inadequate information on its application and effectiveness. The author, however, attempts to use the available information to analyze the link between aspects of equine assisted therapy and physical health. The article presents an analysis of the present existing knowledge of social, emotional, and mental principles that have been applied in the EAT. The limited and erroneous knowledge in EAT is explained as lack of control groups and limited sample size in the study. The study also highlights the fact that the existing studies are often affected by the fundamental issues such as the sample sizes and the lack of control groups, thus explaining the limited or erroneous knowledge in the field of EAT. The fact that there are challenges in these aspects imply that there are challenges in development of theories and principles that would guide the studies of horse therapy as a form of animal assisted therapy and treatment. The author suggests an approach that would promote further knowledge development in the field.

            Perhaps strength of this article is that it acknowledges the likelihood of combining theoretical underpinnings of the horse therapy to other theories such as the attachment theory. The article offers a leeway towards ensuring a more intricate approach especially when applying the horse therapy to children with experiential issues. He highlights the social, mental, and emotional applications of the existing knowledge.

            The article is an important addition to the research since it gives direction in the regards to methodological concerns in the field of study regarding equine assisted therapy as well as insights on underlying process of change. These methodological issues and concerns noted in the article will be crucial in the completion of the current research and will aid in improvement of the research process. The article also provides in-depth knowledge of EAT that will aid in clarity and rigor in undertaking this research.

Trotter, Kay Sudekum, ed. Harnessing the power of equine assisted counseling: Adding animal assisted therapy to your practice. Taylor & Francis, 2012.

            Trotter elaborates different aspects of equine assisted therapy. The author highlights the role of the horse and its relationship with both the client and the therapist. The book explains how horses may be used to develop a client’s mental, emotional, and physical abilities, and the theoretical foundations that dictate the different ways in which the EAT may be applied to meet the different needs of the clients. The book not only seeks to establish the connection between the theoretical foundations of the EAT and the role of the horse in the counseling session. The book also covers the history of the animal assisted therapy and the theoretical principles associated with it. The book notes the several areas in which animal assisted therapy can be applied such as in treating PTSD, depression, hyperactivity and attention deficit in both adults and children.

            The book is essential in understanding the connection between the use of horses in experiential therapy and clinical counseling, which is an important addition to the current research. The focus on the showing the efficacy of horse therapy as a treatment option is also important for the current study and its application in psychotherapeutic treatments and counseling. The book will provide a strong basis for research and aid in development of a strong research background and valid arguments.  

Burgon, Hannah Louise. Equine-assisted therapy and learning with at-risk young people. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

            The book gives an elaborate overview of equine assisted therapy and learning and a powerful account of a research study carried out to chart the experiences of seven ‘at-risk’ young people at the Therapeutic Horsemanship Center in the United Kingdom. The book begins by defining what the authors consider to be ‘at-risk’ individuals and the different ways that horse therapy can be applied to help not just to build self-confidence but also the aspects of attachment, empathy and trust driven by their relationships with horses. Further, Hanna Louise Burgon highlights the different ways in which horse therapy may be combined with other forms of therapy when dealing with ‘at-risk’ individuals. In addition to that Burgon highlights how the relationship between horses and their environment assist in therapy and learning.

            It is rather noteworthy that perhaps the greatest strength of this source is that it acknowledges the presence of other forms of therapy, which will allow the current study to have a basis for comparison. The book will also provide the research a clear comparison of EAT and other forms of therapy. The current research will also benefit from a detailed analysis of horse therapy.

Hoffman, Lisan. Equine Assisted Therapy: an experience based practice? University of Gronigen, 2016.

            Hoffman, in this article, takes the reader through the various concepts of horse therapy. Using a case study of Netherlands, the research shows that the effects of the therapy are still unknown to a large extent. The aim of the report was to find the effects of horse therapy with the help of horses and compares the results with the available resources and knowledge about EAT. Hoffman assesses the professional aspects and concepts that are often applied in horse therapy. In light of this, there are several aspects in the field of horse therapy that are not extensively researched. The author underscores the various ways in which professionalism in handling horses may be included in the therapy sessions to get the intended effects which are also intended to get the most efficient results. The paper also recommends follow-up research that may provide practice based evidence on the efficiency of horse therapy.

            The article will provide the current study a good ground for understanding the measures to improve the efficacy of horse therapy including professionalism in handing horses. The study also offers insight into methodologies for undertaking an effective research and covers areas in the topic that will augment the success of the research. The research reviewed in the article will also highlight important information that will be beneficial in the current study both in conceptualization and undertaking.    

Trotter, Kay Sudekum, Cynthia, Chandler, Deborah ,Goodwin-Bond, and Janie, Casey. ”A comparative study of the efficacy of group equine assisted counseling with at-risk children and adolescents.” Journal of Creativity in Mental Health 3.3 (2008): 254-284.

            Trotter analyzes the efficacy of the equine assisted therapy by comparing the different ways of application of the form of treatment and learning. The author offers a comparison of Equine Assisted Counseling (EAC) and classroom based counseling based on efficiency. The study spans 12 counseling sessions of students at a high risk of academic and social failure to provide basis for making comparison. The results of the study indicate that EAC is more effective based on the behavioral improvements noted among students who went through EAC. There are increased positive behaviors and significant decreases in negative actions in their cases. Ratings of the social behaviors also showed statistically significant improvement.

            While the research sought to get a comparison between the various ways in which counseling is often conducted in schools, it did not consider the difference in individual and groups therapy. Different people are more reactive to diverse forms of therapy. As such, they are likely to respond to tailor-made forms of therapy. In light of this, there is a gap in understanding the difference in response to the various forms of therapy applied in both cases. The implication is that the study does not put into consideration the diverse needs of the case study group.

            The research offers a practical approach to conducting research that will be very beneficial and the results will also offer a basis for comparison hence an integral addition to the current study. The article also provides the current research with new knowledge, reviewed literature, and informs conceptualization and methodology.

Benda, William, Nancy H. McGibbon, and Kathryn L. Grant. ”Improvements in muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy).” The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 9.6 (2003): 817-825.

            The article does not consider the efficiency as a concept but presents an evidence-based account of the efficacy of equine-assisted therapy in children with cerebral palsy. The authors consider that equine therapy not only assists in emotional and social functioning but also in the important functionality of limbs for the patient. The research puts into context the ways in which equine assisted therapy aids muscle symmetry. The study focuses on the case of 15 children who were put through eight months of both hippotherapy and stationary barrel. The effects of hippotherapy on the improvement of muscle activities were better compared to the stationary barrel method. The article is more of a comparative literature for the various ways of therapy for children with cerebral palsy. The improved muscle activities can be attributed to the horse movements and not passive stretching.  

            The resource would be helpful in analyzing the efficiency of hippotherapy in fostering physical movements, an aspect that is not widely considered in many studies. On the other hand, the paper only considers one neurological disorder and as such using it for an analysis of the efficiency of the process of other disorders would imply that one would assume that all neurological disorders would bear the same outcomes.

Schultz, Pamela N., G. Remick, Barlow, and Leslie Robbins. ”Equine‐assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra‐family violence.” Health & Social Care in the Community 15.3 (2007): 265-271.

            Horse therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes horses as tools of getting the intended results. The therapy is used to treat experiential issues that may be related to social, emotional, psychological, or mental problems. Besides, equine assisted therapy is essential in treating neurological disorders. In this article, Pamela Schultz et al. consider the efficacy of this type of therapy among children who have experienced mental breakdowns due to violence in the family. In the article she elaborates how this form of therapy can be used to treat personality issues that may arise from violence in the family – such as self-esteem issues as well as behavioral and mental health problems associated with the trauma of violence. Horse therapy is taken as a treatment process for the various mental and behavioral problems in the various children considered in the case study. The results of the study implied that there are statistical improvement in scores among children with a history of physical abuse and neglect.

            The article brings into perspective the aspect of Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). The author uses the GAF scores to assess the improvements and the efficacy of horse therapy. The article aids in the understanding of the different forms of horse therapy and will be an important addition to the current study. The study will also aid in improving the understanding of the research process and aids in the development of a strong knowledge base for reaching conclusions. The current study will also benefit from a clear exposition of Global Assessment of Functioning and its application in horse therapy evaluation.  

References

Bachi, Keren. ”Equine-facilitated psychotherapy: The gap between practice and             knowledge.” Society & Animals 20.4 (2012): 364-380.

Benda, William, Nancy H. McGibbon, and Kathryn L. Grant. “Improvements in muscle             symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy             (hippotherapy).” The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 9.6 (2003): 817-    825.

Burgon, Hannah Louise. Equine-assisted therapy and learning with at-risk young people.            London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Coman, , Drew, Margaret, Bass, Michael, Alessandri, Christine, Ghilain, and Maria, Llabre.             ”Effect of Equine-Assisted Activities on Social and Sensory Functioning of Children with          Autism.” Brill(2017).

Hoffman, Lisan. Equine Assisted Therapy: an experience based practice?

University of             Gronigen, 2016.

Klontz, Bradley., Alex Bivens, Deb Leinart, and Ted Klontz. ”The effectiveness of equine-            assisted experiential therapy: Results of an open clinical trial.” Society & Animals 15.3   (2007): 257-267.

Nelson, Angie, Tania Signal, and Rachel Wilson. ”Equine assisted therapy and learning.” Society        & Animals 24.4 (2016): 337-357.

Schultz, Pamela N., G. Remick‐Barlow, and Leslie Robbins. ”Equine‐assisted psychotherapy: A        mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced        intra‐family violence.” Health & Social Care in the Community 15.3 (2007): 265-271.

Trotter, Kay Sudekum, ed. Harnessing the power of equine assisted counseling: Adding animal             assisted therapy to your practice. Taylor & Francis, 2012.

Trotter, Kay Sudekum, Cynthia, Chandler, Deborah ,Goodwin-Bond, and Janie, Casey. ”A       comparative study of the efficacy of group equine assisted   counseling with at-risk      children and adolescents.” Journal of Creativity in Mental   Health 3.3 (2008): 254-284.