RESEARCHERS at Queen’s University Belfast, are currently recruiting volunteers to take part in a study that is exploring how horses help people. Currently, horses are being incorporated into a range of services with the overall aim of improving quality of life for children and adults in a variety of ways. This spectrum of services includes therapeutic riding, therapies on horseback, equine assisted psychotherapy and even equine assisted learning programmes designed to help personal learning, skills, and growth.

Improve anxiety

So far, little research has explored participants’ perspectives and experiences in relation to the different kinds of Equine Assisted Service available. In particular, little is known about how these services may help improve anxiety or symptoms of anxiety, a common issue reported by practitioners in the field. To address this gap in knowledge, this study will explore participants’ own perspectives in relation to how these services may help with anxiety, as well as gain a greater understanding of the impact on wellbeing in general. In addition, this study will examine the benefits these services provide to society and also any challenges participants may face when accessing this sort of intervention.

Raise awareness

Potential participants of this study must be over 18 and must have taken part themselves in a ground based equine assisted service (equine assisted mental health therapy or equine assisted learning).

It is hoped that the knowledge gained from this study will help direct future research and practice, in order to make these types of services more available and raise awareness of the benefits to those in the medical and educational fields.

This study is being funded by DAERA as part of a PhD studentship. For more information, please contact Rita Seery at rseery01@qub.ac.uk or the study supervisor, Dr Deborah Wells at d.wells@qub.ac.uk.