An ecological-phenomenological perspective on multispecies leisure and the horse-human relationship in events

ABSTRACT

More-than-human approaches open up theoretical and methodological space for considering if and how all animals, human and nonhuman, play important roles in shaping relationships, actions and encounters in leisure. This paper introduces an ecological-phenomenological framework for understanding relationships between animate actors and their environment in and through leisure. The example of human riders and horses in the context of a pleasure ride leisure event is used to illustrate the application of the framework for understanding the importance of individual differences and constraints, and their interaction with the environment, in appreciating the variety of affordances and possible outcomes in leisure practices. The ecological-phenomenological framework has theoretical and methodological implications for researchers of multispecies leisure, and may have practical application for event managers and designers of multispecies leisure activities. This article is important because it transforms current appreciation of multispecies leisure and opens doors to new ways of thinking and investigating the value and meaning of leisure in a multispecies context.

KEYWORDS:

• Ecological psychology
• events
• more-than-human
• multispecies leisure
• phenomenology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katherine Dashper

Katherine Dashper is Reader in the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett University UK. Her research focuses on human-animal interactions and encounters. She specialises in qualitative research, and is interested in exploring innovative research design to try to understand better some of the complexities of multispecies leisure and tourism.

Eric Brymer

Eric Brymer specialises in research that investigates the human-nature relationship with a special interest in how this relationship influences wellbeing and performance. Eric’s expertise includes qualitative and mixed methods research design. He holds a PhD, a Master’s degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology and post graduate degrees in Education and Business. He also holds research positions at Leeds Beckett University, UK, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and the University of Cumbria, UK.