Equine Assisted Interventions: a Bibliography

Therapeutic horse riding or hippotherapy is used as an intervention for treating individuals with mental and physical disabilities. Equine-assisted interventions are based on the hypothesis that the movement of the horse's pelvis during horseback riding resembles human ambulation, and thus provides motor and sensory inputs similar to those received during human walking. However, this hypothesis has not been investigated quantitatively and qualitatively. This study aimed to verify the hypothesis by conducting a three-dimensional analysis of the horse's movements while walking and human ambulation. Using four sets of equipments, we analysed the acceleration patterns of walking in 50 healthy humans and 11 horses. In addition, we analysed the exercise intensity by comparing the heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure of 127 healthy individuals before and after walking and horse riding. The acceleration data series of the stride phase of horse walking were compared with those of human walking, and the frequencies (in Hz) were analysed by Fast Fourier transform. The acceleration curves of human walking overlapped with those of horse walking, with the frequency band of human walking corresponding with that of horse walking. Exercise intensity, as measured by the heart rate and breathing rate, was not significantly different between horse riding and human walking. The levels of diastolic blood pressure were slightly higher during horse riding than during walking, but were lower during both conditions compared with those in normal conditions (P <0.01). The present study shows that, although not completely matched, the accelerations of the horse and human walking are comparable quantitatively and qualitatively. Horse riding at a walking gait could generate motor and sensory inputs similar to those produced by human walking, and thus could provide optimum benefits to persons with ambulatory difficulties. Wolframm, Inga A.; Bosga, Jurjen; Meulenbroek, Ruud G. J. (2013). Coordination dynamics in horse-rider dyads. Human Movement Science.2013 Feb; 32(1): 157-170. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2012.11.002 Abstract: The sport of equestrianism is defined through close horse-rider interaction. However, no consistent baseline parameters currently exist describing the coordination dynamics of horse-rider movement across different equine gaits. The study aims to employ accelerometers to investigate and describe patterns of motor coordination between horse and rider across the equine gaits of walk, rising trot, sitting trot and canter. Eighteen female (N = 18; mean age ± SD; 37.57 ± 13.04) Dutch horse-rider combinations were recruited to participate in the study. Horse-rider coordination was recorded using two tri-axial wireless accelerometers during a standard ridden protocol. Multiple measures of horse-rider coordination were calculated to investigate the relationship between the horse and rider, while the unpredictability of the acceleration-time series of the horse and rider during task performance were determined separately by means of approximate entropy analysis. The kinematic variables of horse-rider correlation, mean relative phase, mean standard deviation of the relative phase, approximate entropy rider, approximate entropy horse and spectral edge frequency at 95% of the power in the 0–10Hz frequency band were examined using multiple correlational analyses and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Findings showed significantly different coordination dynamics between equine gaits, with the gait of canter allowing for the highest levels of horse-rider synchronicity. It may be concluded that accelerometers are a valuable tool to map distinct coordination patterns of horse-rider combinations. Horsemanship & the Horses: Theses Westermann, Katharina. (2013). Pferdegestützte Interventionen (PGI) zur Gesundheitsforderung des Menschen. Einsatzvoraussetzungen, Anforderungen, Belastungsmomente, Ausbildung und leistungsprufung des Pferdes. Berlin : Freie Universtät Berlin, 2013. vi, 147 pp. Text in German; abstract also in English. English translation of title: Equine Assisted Interventions (EAI) as part of human health programmes: prerequisites, requirements, stresses and strains, training and performance tests for the horses. Available from www.diss.fu.berlin.de/diss/receive/FUDISS_theses_00000095571 (Accessed 29 Apr 2014). Abstract: One aim of this study was to investigate the emphasis (requirements, stresses and strains) and the actual qualifying (training guide, performance test) of horses in EAI. Another aim was to work out proposals for a standardizable quality management for those horses (development of a guideline for the utilisation and training as well as a performance test for horses in EAI, an instructor licence "EAI" for suppliers, additions to the education guidelines within the horse-related apprenticeships and opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation). In Germany Equine Assisted Interventions (EAI), also within the meaning of "Therapeutic Riding", are increasingly being offered and used. Needed requirements and conditions are little and often insufficiently investigated. But considering the knowledge of veterinary medicine, (behaviour) biology and horse-training, differences in the requirements and stresses and strains between horses in EAT and saddle-horse could be determined, which are only inadequate incorporated into the existing additional qualifications for intervention director of EAT. In order to assess conditions and credentials of the utilization of horses in EAI, 252 German suppliers of EAI were asked about their operating structure (21 questions) and their horses (27 questions). This survey is marked by a high return (53,5%) and response rate (o 87%) and showed that the majority of the providers are small business owners (at a small number of employees (o 1-3) and a limited number of horses (o 6)). They have got a basic profession and additional hippological qualification and are equally responsible for client and horses. It is proposed to continue to develop proven horse training programs and performance tests for horses used in EAI. This is necessary in regard of safety aspects during the intervention as well as animal welfare, because of the high level of demands of the horses and the heavy burdens while they are employing in human health programs (o 2,3 caregivers and 3,7 inserts a 48,6 min with 2,5 non-competent clients each). Likewise an instructor licence "EAI" and substantial amendments in the guidelines of horse-related apprenticeships should be established. Furthermore, the majority (51%) would welcome an introduction of a performance test for horses in EAI. And 35% have the opinion, the supplier's qualification have to be tested more intensively. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Equine Assisted Interventions (Therapeutic Riding) Equine Assisted Interventions: Books Knapp, Shannon; Dammann, Brenda. (2012) More than a mirror: horses, humans and therapeutic practices; foreword by Linda Parelli. [Marshall, NC] : Horse Sense of the Carolinas, ©2012. $US 60.00: Order via the website http://HorseSenseBusiness.com Masterson, Jim (2011). Beyond horse massage: a breakthrough interactive method for alleviating soreness, strain and tension; Jim Masterson, with Stefanie Reinhold. North Pomfret, Vt : Trafalgar Square, ©2011. xi, 205 p. : col. Illus. ; 26 cm. Originally published by J.A. Allen with the title: Beyond horse massage: introducing the Masterson Method, a breakthrough interactive method for alleviating soreness, strain and tension. US $ 32.95: ISBN 9781570764721 (spiral bound); $US 34.95 (DVD); $US 14.99 (Kindle ed.). Narges, Mary; Pirgit, Elaine. (2011). The chronicles of Free S.P.I.R.I.T Riders; twenty five years of therapeutic horsemanship. Fond du Lac, WI: [M. Narges and E. Pirgit], ©2011. 207 p. : illus. (chief col.); 22 cm. Free S.P.I.R.I.T. (Special People in Riding Therapy) Riders was founded in 1987 with a commitment to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through safe therapeutic intervention with horses...” –p. [4] of cover. $US 22.50 incl. p&h; orders to Free S.P.I.R.I.T Riders, PO Box 1291, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1291, USA Shkedi, Anita. (2012). Traumatic brain injury and therapeutic riding. Israel: A. Shkedi, ©2012. 171 p. : illus. ; 23 cm. $US 34.00; ISBN9789659192403; order by email at [email protected]. Equine Assisted Interventions: Contributions to Books Anderson, Fraser; Annett, Michelle; Bischof, Walter F.; Boulanger, Pierre. (2010). Virtual Equine Assisted Therapy. p.255-256. IEEE Virtual Reality 2010 [electronic resource] : Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, March 20-24, 2010 : proceedings, edited by Benjamin Lok, Gudrun Klinker, Ryohei Nakatsu ; sponsored by IEEE Visualization and Graphics Technical Committee. Piscataway, NJ : IEEE, c2010. 1 online resource : illus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/VR.2010.5444776 Abstract: People with a wide spectrum of disabilities, ranging from spinal injuries to autism, have benefited from equine assisted therapy (EAT). Using EAT, therapy patients have improved both physically and psychologically (e.g., demonstrating increased attention, motivation, and communication skills). There are still many open questions regarding this therapy and the reasons for its success. Many of these questions have remained unanswered due in large part to the uncontrolled nature of EAT. The Virtual Equine Assisted Therapy (VEAT) Project integrates a robotic platform with virtual reality technologies to provide a safe, controlled environment through which various aspects of EAT can be isolated and studied. The system incorporates realistic equine motions with visual, auditory, olfactory, and somatosensory stimuli to provide highly immersive experiences to patients. Beder, Joan; Sullivan-Sakaeda, Laurie; Martin, Tamar P. (2012). Animal assisted intervention. p.239-252. IN: Beder, Joan (editor). Advances in social work practice with the military. New York : Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, ©2012. xxx, 293 p. : illus. ; 24 cm. ISBN: 978-0-415-89133-2 (hdbk.); 978-0-415-89134-9 (pbk.); 978-0-203-82574-7 (pdf).