Behavioral and physiological responses of horses to ground-based adaptive horsemanship lessons for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Authors: Rankins Ellen M, McKeever Kenneth H, Malinowski Karyn
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst equine-assisted therapy programmes for human mental health have expanded considerably, little evidence exists regarding the welfare implications for horses engaged in these roles. Rankins et al. (2024) investigated this gap by comparing six horses conducting ground-based adaptive horsemanship lessons with six controls (stalled in the arena) over eight weeks, measuring plasma cortisol, catecholamines, and oxytocin alongside electromyography of masticatory and forelimb muscles and detailed behavioural observation. Control horses demonstrated significantly elevated cortisol at lesson end (25–30 minutes), whilst adaptive horsemanship horses exhibited fewer stress-related and repetitive behaviours, with independent observers rating them as markedly calmer and more relaxed than controls. These findings suggest that active participation in structured ground-based therapeutic work may produce a physiologically and behaviourally distinct response compared to passive stalling, potentially reflecting engagement or positive social interaction with handlers. For practitioners involved in equine-assisted interventions, the results indicate that horses in these programmes may not experience the elevated stress load commonly associated with novel or challenging environments, though individual variation and long-term welfare considerations warrant further investigation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horses engaged in equine-assisted services for PTSD veterans show measurably lower stress levels (cortisol, behavior, observer assessment) than horses confined to arenas, suggesting therapeutic work may be less stressful than traditional stall/arena housing
- •Consider integrating regular adaptive horsemanship activities into working horse programs as a potential welfare enhancement; the structured, purposeful interaction appears to reduce anxiety markers
- •Monitor stress biomarkers and behavior during new lesson programs—this study provides a validated framework (cortisol timing, EMG, ethogram) for assessing horse welfare in therapeutic riding contexts
Key Findings
- •Control horses had significantly elevated cortisol concentrations at 25 and 30 minutes (P = 0.0023), indicating stress from confinement in arena stalls
- •Adaptive horsemanship horses displayed fewer stress-related and unique behaviors compared to controls (P ≤ 0.0491)
- •Qualitative behavior analysis by 22 observers found control horses described as more anxious, nervous, and stressed whereas adaptive horsemanship horses were calm, comfortable, patient, and relaxed (P < 0.0001)
- •Ground-based adaptive horsemanship lessons resulted in lower stress indicators in horses compared to control conditions over 8-week sessions