The Unique Characteristics of the Horses for Humans Learning Purposes in Equine Assisted Learning Practice

Abstract

This article aims to encourage scientific discussion about one of the aspects of equine-assisted learning practice, the unique characteristics of the horse owing to how it is used in intervention programmes for human learning purposes. Equine-assisted learning is an innovative learning approach where human learning and development takes place through guided interactions between humans and horses. Although scientific interest towards human-horse interactions is becoming increasingly popular, evidence-based research has examined the relationship between humans and horses, and how such bonds may contribute to human learning and development is limited and lacks empirical support. This report provides a review of theoretical and empirical literature regarding the unique characteristics of the horse to find answers to the following - why are horses involved in intervention programmes for human learning purposes. As the result of the research, five main characteristics of the horse were put forward for critical discussion.