Experiences of a Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Group Intervention for People with Common Mental Disorders on Sick-Leave

Figures & data

Table 1. Example of meaning units, condensed meaning units, codes, subcategories and the overall category.

Meaning unit	Condensed meaning unit	Code	Category	Overall category
When you socialise with an animal that big, well, you can’t think of anything else, you can only be in the present because it is a big animal, and yes, you can’t sit and think about what to do tonight or tomorrow hence you really are in the here and now. (125)	When being with an animal that big, you can’t think of anything else. You are in the here and now.	You are in the present when being with the horse	The environment of the horses contributes to relaxation and the ability to be in the present	The equine-assisted group intervention facilitates recovery
But I have already ridden in my life, and I don’t think it’s fun, and I don’t feel good riding, these negative thoughts, but the more time you spent with the horse and sort of saw the others: Oh, yes, I could do it!, then you also wanted to do it, of course, I will try, and then it just took off. (213)	I have already been riding, and I don’t think it’s fun, but the more time you spent doing it and more you saw the others do it, the more you also wanted to try, and then it took off.	The horse encourages the group members to inspire each other	The presence of the horses facilitates supportive relationships in the group
Your eyes opened up to the nature around you while riding. You have been in a haze where you barely hear or see, but suddenly it opens up! And to feel this power in the horse, you get some of it. (207)	Your eyes open up while riding. You have been in a haze, but it suddenly opens up. You feel the power in the horse and get some of it.	The horse gives power, and you open up from the haze	Emotional interactions with the horses strengthen inner power
I got much more out of it than I thought I would, much, much more. I didn’t think I would lose weight, I did that, and I didn’t think my blood count would improve, and I didn’t think that the stress levels would disappear as they did and that my general wellbeing would become as good as it got. (120)	I got more out of it than I thought I would, I lost weight, my blood count improved, my stress levels disappeared, and my general well-being improved	Improvements in blood count, stress levels and general wellbeing	Interplay with the horses entails physical activity and bodily improvements

Table 2. Overall category and categories of the experiences of the equine-assisted therapeutic intervention.

The equine-assisted group intervention facilitates recovery
The environment of the horses contributes to relaxation and the ability to be in the present	The presence of the horses facilitates supportive relationships in the group	Emotional interactions with the horses strengthen inner power	Interplay with the horses entails physical activity and bodily improvements