Equine-assisted therapy, health and sports: Figurations of the practice in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, 1970-2000

Abstract

Based on the theoretical assumptions of Norbert Elias, we sought to understand the figurations of equine-assisted therapy in Rio Grande do Sul from 1970 to 2000. To this end, the research corpus consisted of official documents, newspapers and magazines. Based on the concept of figuration, the documentation analyzed demonstrated technical-scientific elements linked to the fields of healthcare, education and horseback riding, coming from equestrianism and shared in the practice of equine-assisted therapy. The interrelations established between these different areas allowed the practice to take on attributes and representations emanating from the equestrian world. Thus, other figurations were developed in the field of equine-assisted therapy involving relationships between military and civil entities.