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. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.