Welfare of Horses in Equine-Assisted Therapy

Horses used in equine-assisted therapy programs work in close contact with clients experiencing mental health challenges, with welfare implications that require specific attention to manage.

Key Facts

Equine-assisted therapy programs exist in over 40 countries with thousands of horses working in therapeutic roles
Therapeutic horses interact with clients whose behavior may be unpredictable, increasing stress compared to recreational riding
Horses in good therapy programs have scheduled rest, social time, and choice about whether to approach clients
Research shows horses working in poorly managed programs show elevated cortisol and behavioral signs of chronic stress
Equine-assisted activities and therapy is now a recognized intervention in some clinical mental health frameworks

Welfare Considerations

Horses in equine-assisted therapy face welfare challenges from unpredictable handling by clients with diverse behaviors, potential inability to refuse participation in stressful interactions, and schedules that may not provide adequate rest. Well-managed programs build horse agency into sessions — horses can move away from clients and choose level of engagement. Poorly managed programs may have horses restrained or manipulated in ways that prevent natural stress responses. The welfare quality of individual therapy programs varies enormously and consumer choice between programs can drive quality improvement.

What You Can Do

Research equine welfare practices before recommending or participating in equine-assisted therapy
Support programs that demonstrate horse choice and agency in therapeutic interactions
Advocate for equine welfare standards in equine-assisted therapy industry certification
Learn about horse stress signals to recognize whether therapy horses are experiencing chronic stress