EAP Research Articles

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 Many of us have seen heartwarming stories and anecdotes in the media or heard personal stories from family and friends of the benefits of interacting with horses. A frequent question involves the scientific merit of having horses involved in mental health services and how they might improve the quality of life of those involved.

The following is a sampling of studies that help illustrate the benefit of incorporating horses into mental health treatment and other wellness services.  It is not meant to represent a comprehensive literature review or specific search parameters. Rather, the intent is to provide a sample of peer-reviewed published journal articles to assist those interested in learning more about the topic and to support services incorporating horses for mental health and well-being.

The 47 articles presented here incorporate papers examining a variety of populations, as well as a range of research methodologies and outcome measures. All have been published in scholarly journals where the articles are written by experts and the manuscripts are reviewed by several other professionals in the field before the article is published. This ensures the quality of the publication and makes it more likely that the article is scientifically valid.  

Search engines-PubMed/Google Scholar/Google

Key words=Equine assisted intervention/Equine facilitated psychotherapy/Equine assisted learning

Outcome Category= Psychiatric/mental health 

 SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

1.Adams, C., et al. (2015). The Helping Horse: How Equine Assisted Learning Contributes to the Well being of First Nations Youth in Treatment for Volatile Substance Misuse.Hum Anim InteractBull1, 52-75. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26793794/

2.Gatti, F., E. Walderhaug, A. Kern-Godal, J. Lysell, E. A. Arnevik (2020). Complementary horse-assisted therapy for substance use disorders: a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract15, 7 doi:10.1186/s13722-020-0183-z. https://ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-020-0183-z

3.Alfonso, S. V., L. A. Alfonso, M. M. Llabre, M. I. Fernandez (2015). Project Stride: An Equine-Assisted Intervention to Reduce Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Young Women. Explore(NY) 11,461-7 doi:10.1016/j.explore.2015.08.003. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830715001470?via%3Dihub

4.Bachi, K., J. Terkel, M. Teichman (2012). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents: the influence on self-image, self-control and trust. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry17, 298-312doi:10.1177/1359104511404177. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21757481/

5.Cagle-Holtcamp, K., M. C. Nicodemus, J. Parker, M. H. Dunlap (2019). Does Equine Assisted Learning Create Emotionally Safe Learning Environments for At-Risk Youth? Journal of Youth andDevelopment14, 21 doi:10.5195/jyd.2019.727 https://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/19-14-04-RES-1

6.Carlsson, C. (2017). Triads in Equine-Assisted Social Work Enhance Therapeutic Relationships with Self-Harming Adolescents. Clin Soc Work J45, 320-331 doi:10.1007/s10615-016-0613-2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29187767/

7.Chakales, P. A., J. Locklear, T. Wharton (2020). Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects ofEquine-assisted Activities and Therapies on Stress and Depression in Medical Students. Cureus12, e6896 doi:10.7759/cureus.6896. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32195063/

8.Coetzee, N., Boyce, S., & Masenge, A. (2022). The Role of the Eagala Model in Promoting Psychological Wellbeing in Adolescents: A Mixed-Methods Approach. Society & Animals,1-23.doi:  https://doi.org/10.1163/15685306-bja10092 https://brill.com/view/journals/soan/aop/article-10.1163-15685306-bja10092/article-10.1163-15685306-bja10092.xml

9.Coffin, J. (2019). The Nguudu Barndimanmanha Project-Improving Social and Emotional Well being in Aboriginal Youth Through Equine Assisted Learning. Front Public Health7, 278doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00278 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31649910/

10.Dawson, S., et al. (2022). Equine-Assisted Therapy with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Serbia and the United States. Therapeutic recreation journal56, 17-38 doi:10.18666/TRJ-2022-V56-I1-10387 https://js.sagamorepub.com/trj/article/view/10387

11.Dunlop, K., M. Tsantefski (2018). A space of safety: Children's experience of equine‐assisted group therapy. Child & family social work23, 16-24 doi:10.1111/cfs.12378.  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cfs.12378

12.Frederick, K. E., J. Ivey Hatz, B. Lanning (2015). Not Just Horsing Around: The Impact of Equine-Assisted Learning on Levels of Hope and Depression in At-Risk Adolescents. Community Mental Health J51, 809-17 doi:10.1007/s10597-015-9836-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25698076/

13.Jang, B., et al. (2015). Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy for Treating Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Altern Complement Med21, 546-53doi:10.1089/acm.2015.0067. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26167851/

14.Kang, K. D., T. W. Jung, I. H. Park, D. H. Han (2018). Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies on the Affective Network of Adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder. J Altern Complement Med24, 841-849 doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0416. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29698054/

15.Mueller, M. K., L. McCullough(2017). Effects of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy on Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Youth. Journal of child and family studies26, 1164-1172doi:10.1007/s10826-016-0648-6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-016-0648-6

16.Pelyva, I. Z., R. Kresak, E. Szovak, A. L. Toth (2020). How Equine-Assisted Activities Affect the Prosocial Behavior of Adolescents. Int J Environ Res Public Health17,doi:10.3390/ijerph17082967. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7216257/

17.Pendry, P., A. M. Carr, A. N. Smith, S. M. Roeter (2014). Improving adolescent social competence and behavior: a randomized trial of an 11-week equine facilitated learning prevention program. J Prim Prev35, 281-93 doi:10.1007/s10935-014-0350-7.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24898318/

18.Perkins, B. L. (2018). A Pilot Study Assessing the Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Learning with Adolescents. Journal of creativity in mental health13, 298-305doi:10.1080/15401383.2018.1427168. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15401383.2018.1427168

19.Roberts, F., J. Bradberry, C. Williams (2004). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy benefits students and children. Holist Nurs Pract18, 32-5 doi:10.1097/00004650-200401000-00006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14765690/

20.Roberts, H., N. Honzel (2020). The Effectiveness of Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy in Adolescents with Serious Emotional Disturbances. Anthrozoös33, 133-144doi:10.1080/08927936.2020.1694317. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-04491-009

21.Tan, V. X.-L., J. G. Simmonds (2017). Parent Perceptions of Psychosocial Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders48, 759-769 doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3399-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29196865/

22.Tsantefski, M., L. Briggs, J. Griffiths, A. Tidyman (2017). An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use. Health Soc Care Community25,1247-1256 doi:10.1111/hsc.12427. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28147452/

23.Wilson, K., M. Buultjens, M. Monfries, L. Karimi (2017). Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for adolescents experiencing depression and/or anxiety: A therapist's perspective. Clin Child PsycholPsychiatry22, 16-33 doi:10.1177/1359104515572379.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26668260/

24.Arnon, S., et al. (2020). Equine-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with PTSD: Manual Development and Preliminary Findings. Mil Med185, e557-e564 doi:10.1093/milmed/usz444. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32034416/

25.Burton, L. E., F. Qeadan, M. R. Burge (2019). Efficacy of equine-assisted psychotherapy in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Integr Med17, 14-19doi:10.1016/j.joim.2018.11.001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30497951/

 26. Earles, J. L., L. L. Vernon, J. P. Yetz (2015). Equine-assisted therapy for anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms. J Trauma Stress 28, 149-52 doi:10.1002/jts.21990. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25782709/ 

27.Fisher, P. W., et al. (2021). Equine-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Military Veterans: An Open Trial. J Clin Psychiatry82, doi:10.4088/JCP.21m14005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34464523/

 28. Johnson, R. A., et al. (2018). Effects of therapeutic horseback riding on post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. Mil Med Res 5, 3 doi:10.1186/s40779-018-0149-6. ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29502529/ 

29.Malcolm, R., S. Ecks, M. Pickersgill (2018). 'It just opens up their world': autism, empathy, and the therapeutic effects of equine interactions. Anthropology & medicine25, 220-234doi:10.1080/13648470.2017.1291115. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28513182/

30.Malinowski, K., et al. (2018). The Effects of Equine Assisted Therapy on Plasma Cortisol and Oxytocin Concentrations and Heart Rate Variability in Horses and Measures of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans. Journal of equine veterinary science64, 17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30973147/

31.Marchand, W. R., Joubert, K., Smith, J., Nazarenko, E., Klinger, W., Sheppard, S., & Hoopes, K. H.(2022). A Pilot Observational Study of Implementing an Equine-Assisted Services Program Within a VA Medical Center Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program. Military medicine.doi:10.1093/milmed/usac028 https://academic.oup.com/milmed/advance-article/doi/10.1093/milmed/usac028/6540479?login=false

 32. Meinersmann, K. M., J. Bradberry, F. B. Roberts (2008). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy with adult female survivors of abuse. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 46, 36-42 doi:10.3928/02793695-20081201-08. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19133493/ 

33.Naste, T. M., et al. (2018). Equine Facilitated Therapy for Complex Trauma (EFT-CT).J Child Adolesc Trauma11, 289-303 doi:10.1007/s40653-017-0187-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30220956/

34.Nevins, R., S. Finch, E. J. Hickling, S. D. Barnett (2013). The Saratoga WarHorse project: a case study of the treatment of psychological distress in a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. AdvMind Body Med27, 22-5.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24067322/

35.Romaniuk, M., J. Evans, C. Kidd (2018). Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as 'wounded, injured or ill' and their partners. PLoS One13, e0203943doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0203943. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30260975/

36.Shelef, A., D. Brafman, T. Rosing, A. Weizman, R. Stryjer, Y. Barak (2019). Equine AssistedTherapy for Patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series Study .Mil Med184, 394-399 doi:10.1093/milmed/usz036. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30839068/

37.Schroeder, K., D. Stroud, D. M. Sherwood, M. A. R. Udell (2018). Therapeutic Factors in Equine-Facilitated Group Psychotherapy for Women Survivors of Interpersonal Violence.

The Journal for specialists in group work43, 326-348 doi:10.1080/01933922.2018.1516707. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01933922.2018.1516707

38.Steele, E., D. S. Wood, E. J Usadi, D. M. Applegarth (2018). TRR’s Warrior Camp: An Intensive Treatment Program for Combat Trauma in Active Military and Veterans of All Eras.Militarymedicine183, 403-407 doi:10.1093/milmed/usx153. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29635563/

39.Sylvia, L., et al. (2020). Acceptability of an adjunct equine-assisted activities and therapies program for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. J IntegrMed18, 169-173 doi:10.1016/j.joim.2020.01.005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31996299/

40.Wharton, T., J. Whitworth, E. Macauley, M. Malone (2019). Pilot testing a manualized equine-facilitated cognitive processing therapy (EF-CPT) intervention for PTSD in veterans. PsychiatrRehabil J42, 268-276 doi:10.1037/prj0000359. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30907609/

41.Willmund, G., et al. (2021). Equine-assisted psychotherapy with traumatized couples-Improvement of relationship quality and psychological symptoms. J Marital Fam Ther47, 925-944 doi:10.1111/jmft.12485. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512042/

42.Zhu, X., et al. (2021). Neural changes following equine-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A longitudinal multimodal imaging study. Hum Brain Mapp42, 1930-1939doi:10.1002/hbm.25360. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33547694/

43.Lee, K., H. Dabelko-Schoeny, H. Jedlicka, T. Burns (2020). Older Adults’ Perceived Benefits of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Implications for Social Work. Research on social work practice30,399-407 doi:10.1177/1049731519890399. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1049731519890399

44.Hemingway, A., & Sullivan, K. (2022). Reducing the incidence of domestic violence: An observational study of an equine‐assisted intervention. Family process, 61(2), 549-570.doi:10.1111/famp.12768 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/famp.12768

45.Nurenberg, J. R., et al. (2015). Animal-assisted therapy with chronic psychiatric inpatients: equine-assisted psychotherapy and aggressive behavior. Psychiatr Serv66, 80-6doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201300524. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25269512/

46.Robinson-Edwards, S., S. Kewley, L. Riley, D. Fisher (2019). Examining prisoner experience of an equine assisted psychotherapy. Therapeutic communities40, 111-124 doi:10.1108/TC-01-2019-0001. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/TC-01-2019-0001/full/html

47.Schmidt, J., A. Wartenberg-Demand, S. Forstmeier (2020). Equine-assisted biographical work(EABW) with individuals in the second half of life: study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.Trials21, 857 doi:10.1186/s13063-020-04784-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33059730/