The significance of equine-assisted services for patients receiving rehabilitation in Finland according to multidisciplinary professionals: a phenomenographic study
Authors: Sari Honkanen, L. Paakkari, Minna Mattila, T. Sjögren, Ari Heinonen, E. Aartolahti
Journal: International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine-Assisted Services in Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Equine-assisted interventions encompass diverse therapeutic applications across multiple professional disciplines, yet limited qualitative evidence exists regarding their mechanisms of benefit in structured rehabilitation settings. Finnish researchers conducted phenomenographic interviews with eight qualified practitioners—physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers—to identify how equine-assisted services contribute meaningfully to patient rehabilitation outcomes. Analysis revealed four hierarchical benefit categories (enabling rehabilitation, promoting physical functioning, supporting emotional skills, and enabling participation) underpinned by three core mechanisms: the therapeutic role of the horse itself, the therapeutic properties of the stable environment, and the supportive influence of the stable community. Participants consistently identified enhanced patient motivation as a key pathway through which equine-assisted services improved rehabilitation engagement and outcomes, positioning these interventions as particularly effective for promoting inclusivity and participation. For equine professionals working within rehabilitation contexts, these findings validate what many intuitively understand—that the multimodal nature of equine-assisted work (combining the physical demands of horsemanship, the sensory-rich stable environment, and peer support) creates conditions conducive to sustained motivation and genuine participation. This evidence supports advocating for equine-assisted services as a legitimate component of comprehensive rehabilitation pathways, whilst highlighting that effectiveness depends not solely on the horse but on the deliberate integration of environmental and community factors. Further research quantifying outcomes across specific patient populations would strengthen the case for wider commissioning and integration within formal rehabilitation services.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Equine-assisted rehabilitation can be a powerful motivational tool to increase patient engagement and compliance with rehabilitation goals across physical, emotional, and social domains
- •The therapeutic value comes not just from the horse itself, but from the stable environment and community; consider how to optimize all three elements when designing programmes
- •Equine-assisted services may be particularly effective for patients who have disengaged from traditional rehabilitation approaches or struggle with participation in standard therapies
Key Findings
- •Eight multidisciplinary professionals identified four hierarchical categories of equine-assisted services benefit: enabling rehabilitation, promoting physical functioning, supporting emotional skills, and enabling participation
- •The horse, stable environment, and stable community were identified as three critical therapeutic themes in equine-assisted rehabilitation
- •Equine-assisted services increased patient motivation to participate in rehabilitation, potentially improving outcomes
- •Professionals viewed equine-assisted services as an inclusive, enabling form of rehabilitation that supports comprehensive rehabilitation objectives