Disabled Horse-Rider’s Experience Of Horse-Riding A Phenomenological Analysis Of The Benefits Of Contact With Animals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65828/qq36fw10Abstract
Historically, nature has been seen as beneficial to human wellbeing. Research has shown that there are a number of physical gains from contact with animals and there are a number of organisations that use animals as part of talking therapies. The present study explored five disabled adult horse-riders' experiences of horse riding using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Five major themes are reported here (a) physical benefits, (b) psychological benefits, (c) interaction and relationship with horses, (d) drive and motivation and (e) negative aspects to riding. These themes support what the limited literature has found. The present study highlights a number of therapeutic benefits from contact with horses and suggests that psychology would profit from exploring how animals can be utilised in therapeutic settings.
Complete access to the full archive of articles is available with SEA membership. Existing members: please log in with your membership password to view full text. Non-members can buy a single article or issue by registering an account on this website, then selecting a padlocked full text button to purchase.
References
Demares, R. and Krycka, K.C. (1998). Wild animal triggered peak experiences: Transpersonal aspects. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. 30(2), 161-177.
Dunbar, R. (2004). The Human Story: A New History of Man's Evolution. London: Faber and Faber.
Friedman, E., Katcher, A.H., Lynch, J.J. and Thomas, S.A. (1980). Animal companions and one year survival from coronary care unit. Public Health Reports. 95(4), 307-312.
Gilbert, P. and Bailey, K. (2000). Genes on the Couch: Explorations in Evolutionary Psychotherapy. Brunner-Routledge: Hove. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315783314
Great Strides (2007). Great Strides. [Online] Available: http://www.greatstrides.org [03/08/07].
Hart, L.A. (1992). Therapeutic riding: Assessing human vs horse effects. Anthrozoos. 5(3) 138-139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2752/089279392787011458
Kaplan, R. and Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature, Cambridge University Press.
Lasher, M. (1998). A relational approach to the human-animal bond. Anthrozoos. 11(3), 130-133. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2752/089279398787000670
Leather, P. Pyrgas, M. Beale, D. and Lawrence, C. (1998). Windows in the workplace: Sunlight, view and occupational stress. Environment and Behaviours, 30, 739-762. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001391659803000601
Levinson, F. (2007). Working with Children and Horses. [Online] Available: http://www.wayofthehorse.org/Articles/children-and-horses.html [08/08/07].
Lindstrand, J. (2005). Horses for Courses. [Online] Available: http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/prisonservicemagazine/index [04/08/07].
Nathanson, D.E., deCastro, D., Friend, H. and McMahon, M. (1997). Effectiveness of short-term dolphin assisted therapy for children with severe disabilities. Anthrozoos, 10(213), 90-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2752/089279397787001166
Schaefer, K. (2002). Human-animal interactions as a therapeutic intervention. [Online] Available: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3934/is_200201/ai_n9047636 [01/08/07].
Schultz, P, Remick-Barlow, G, and Robbins, L. (2007). Equine-assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health and Social Care in the Community, 15 (3): 265-271. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2006.00684.x
Smith, J. And Eatough, V. (2007) Interpretative phenomenological analysis. In Lyons, E. and Coyle, A. (eds) Analysing qualitative data in psychology. Sage: London. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446207536.d10
Brener, N. (2007). The Priory Group. [Online] Available: http://www.priorygroup.com/pg.asp?p=equestrianasssistedpsychotherapy [08/08/07]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9780571286713.00000006
Ulrich, R. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science. 224, 420-421. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.6143402
Wells, N.M. and Evans, G.W. (2003) Nearby nature: A buffer of life stress among rural children. Environment and Behaviours, 35 (3), 311 – 330. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916503035003001
Wilson, E.O. (1984). Biophilia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
