Interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation from the rehabilitees’ perspective - A phenomenological study

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Interaction has a multidimensional role in equine-facilitated rehabilitation.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to understand rehabilitees’ experiences of interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation.

Methods

Six children and four adults with individual diagnoses or reasons to participate in equine-facilitated rehabilitation were included in this qualitative study. Data were collected by interviewing individually the rehabilitees. A phenomenological Spiegelberg’s seven-phase meaning analysis was performed to reveal the meanings.

Results

Seven meanings were identified: 1) Trust; 2) Friendly horse; 3) Mirror of feelings; 4) Inspiring riding; 5) Feeling competent; 6) Rehabilitee-oriented approach; and 7) Uniting experience. In addition, the essential meanings of the phenomenon form three different circles: circle of recognition, circle of supporting active agency and circle of empowerment.

Conclusion

Interaction during equine-facilitated rehabilitation is essential to rehabilitees in many ways that have important roles in the entire rehabilitation process that aims for empowerment in the rehabilitees’ daily lives.

KEYWORDS:

• Meaning analysis
• equine facilitated therapy
• hippotherapy
• sociopedagogical horse activity
• interaction

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the participants and those who helped with recruitment. This research was funded by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Dnro 57/26/2015).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela [Dnro 57/26/2015].