Equine-assisted therapy and its impact on cortisol levels of children and horses: a pilot study and meta-analysis

Abstract

Childhood trauma, abuse or neglect impacts the function and structure of the brain of affected children. Attunement with other beings as well as an enriched environment can contribute to normal brain development. The enriched environment of a barn and attunement with an animal may contribute to reductions in stress for traumatised children. A pilot study, using a multiple base line, single case design included four children with post-traumatic stress syndrome (aged eight to ten years) and four therapy riding horses. This study hypothesised that cortisol would correlate between each child–horse pair, using a 12-day intervention that included six consecutive days of riding and grooming. A meta-analysis was completed of correlation levels of four child–horse pairs The weighted mean cross-correlation, controlling for autocorrelation, was 0.23, Z = 3.03, approximate 95% confidence interval 0.23 ± (1.96 × 0.076) or 0.08 to 0.38. The data suggest a need for further research.

Keywords:

• animal-assisted therapy
• biobehavioural human–animal interaction
• social work intervention

Acknowledgements

The researchers thank the children and families who participated in the therapeutic riding programme and team that assisted in the research, Carla Sommardahl for her advice, and Sherri Steele for her laboratory assistance. Thank you also to Gail Hussey and Joy Martin for library assistance in Canada and Anne Viera at the University of Tennessee Veterinary College in Knoxville, Tennessee. Funding for this project was provided by Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. Thanks to Steven Woltering for his sage advice. Thank you to Karyl Hurley and Sandra McCune for their assistance.