Distinguishing Between Equine-Assisted Interventions
The following descriptions are provided in order to help clarify the confusion that exists within the various equine-assisted interventions.
For an additional detailed comparison of these approaches, visit the Horse Power at Pony Farm website (please note this site is American in origin and some details relating specifically to the insurance context do not apply in Canada).
(A) Equine-Assisted Therapy
Practices in this category all share one important commonality: that they are led by a credentialed, trained professional/therapist in a specific scope of practice, working towards clear treatment goals/outcomes that are documented.
There are two distinct sub-fields in the helping and healing professions:
1. Equines in Mental Health/Psychology
Known by various names (equine-assisted mental health, equine-guided counselling, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, and so on), this type of intervention seeks to improve functioning on a variety of levels: emotional, psychological, social/relational, behavioural, cognitive, physical (within mind-body and energy psychology approaches), and spiritual (within existential psychology, transpersonal psychology and pastoral counselling).
This form of experiential therapy may or may not involve riding, and usually consists of groundwork with the equines within the therapist’s scope of practice/specialization, at times supported by an equine professional/handler. These interventions seek to actively engage clients in ways not possible with traditional talk therapy.
The sheer number of names and acronyms in this category is often confusing. Sometimes different names have been invented to describe identical or very similar practices, while other times there are distinct differences between approaches. The differences between these approaches depend not only on who the practitioner or professional is as a person, but also on such factors as:
- The professional’s education and training (e.g., psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, social work, psychiatric nursing, etc.)
- The theoretical approach(es) guiding the professional (e.g., person-centred therapy, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, Gestalt therapy, emotion-focused therapy (EFT), attachment theory, transpersonal psychology, etc., or a combination of approaches)
- The model of equine psychology and training used (e.g., natural horsemanship, traditional methods, Western, English, etc.)
- The philosophical view of the role of the horse (horse as a "tool", horse as a "co-therapist", horse as a "sentient being", whether the equine "assists", "facilitates" or "guides" the process, etc.)
- And the particular school or approach of equine-facilitated work being used (e.g., Epona, Adventures in Awareness, EAGALA, EAPD, EAP, EAL, EFEL, FEEL, etc., or a combination of approaches)
2. Equines in Physiotherapy / Speech Therapy / Occupational Therapy
Known as hippotherapy (from the Greek ‘hippo’ meaning horse), this type of intervention is a rehabilitation strategy using the equine’s movement in order to influence the motor and postural control of the rider. The equine’s movement is the tool the therapist will use and modulate in order to promote the goals identified in the assessment of the client. The client passively interacts with, and responds to, the equine’s movement, which the therapist analyzes and grades based on what is appropriate for that client.
It can be used exclusively by physiotherapists, occupational therapists or speech-language pathologists who add their own specialization in their treatment. A medical professional and a horse professional should work with the rider, determining a specific program to meet the needs of the rider (Champagne, 2007).
(B) Equine-Assisted Activities
Practices in this category share the commonality that they do not involve the presence of a credentialed therapist, clear treatment goals, or documented case notes. Equine-assisted activities often provide therapeutic benefits, but are not therapy per se. Equine-assisted activities are commonly led by trained volunteers without a credentialed scope of practice, by para-professionals, and by therapeutic riding instructors. Equine-assisted activities may also be led by a credentialed therapist.
Equine-assisted activities often share characteristics with the next category (equine-assisted education/learning). The most typical examples of equine-assisted activities are:
- Visitation programs involving horses
- Therapeutic riding: Perhaps the most commonly-known equine-assisted intervention, therapeutic riding is a global term that embraces all equine-related activities for people with disabilities. Therapeutic riding teaches riding skills to riders with special needs (Champagne, 2007).
(C) Equine-Assisted Education / Learning
Practices in this category often share characteristics of both equine-assisted activities as well as equine-assisted therapy in the helping and healing professions. Known by various names (such as equine-guided development, equine-assisted learning, equine-facilitated coaching, equine-guided education, equine-facilitated experiential learning, etc.), they are commonly described as interventions that foster personal growth, self-development, self-awareness, life skills, spiritual development, and so on. Some practices specifically target corporate leadership or business team building. Humane education involving equines also falls into this category.
Equine-assisted education / learning is not necessarily led by a credentialed therapist, although it can be. Such practices are also often led by persons in other scopes of practice, such as educators, teachers, energy healers, shamanistic practitioners, personal/life coaches, business coaches, etc. They are also be led by other individuals with an interest in personal development who have taken training related to equine-assisted education/learning, though there is considerable concern about the safety and ethical risks that exist when under-qualified individuals lead interventions that deal with personal / emotional / healing issues.
References
Champagne, D. (2007, Winter). Therapeutic riding and hippotherapy - Related yet still different. CanTRA Caller,3.