Equine Experiential Learning an Evidence-Based Modality.

The psychosocial effects of equine experiential learning include:

• improved self-esteem

• self-confidence

• empowerment

• a sense of self-presence

• feelings of freedom, independence and competency.

• Horses can recognize human emotions and respond in an intentional way.

• Reports of human participants bonding with the horse are present in qualitative and quantitative research.

• Research has found that the bond is similar to a mother-child relationship explained by attachment theory.

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Smith, A. V., Proops, L., Grounds, K., Wathan, J., & McComb, K. (2016). Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse (Equus caballus). Biology letters, 12(2), 20150907.

Tan, V. X. L., & Simmonds, J. G. (2018). Parent perceptions of psychosocial outcomes of equine-assisted interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 48(3), 759-769.

White-Lewis S. (2019). Equine-assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis. Nursing open, 7(1), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.377