Equine-assisted therapy has grown rapidly, but the welfare of horses used in therapeutic programs is an often-overlooked aspect of this popular intervention.
Therapy horses are often selected for calm temperaments, but this can mask stress responses rather than indicate absence of stress. Repeated interactions with unpredictable clients, unfamiliar handling, and lack of control create chronic welfare challenges. Welfare-conscious programs rotate horses, provide turnout time, monitor stress indicators daily, and give horses the ability to avoid interactions. Horse welfare and human therapeutic outcomes are not in conflict — stressed horses deliver worse therapy.