Perceptions of Practices Used in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies: A Survey

Abstract

Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) is an ambiguous term used to describe any activity that involves horses to the benefit of a person. Various terms are included under the umbrella of EAAT, many of which are often misconstrued. Two of the less common forms of EAAT, Equine-Assisted/Facilitated Learning (EAL/EFL) and Equine-Assisted/Facilitated Psychotherapy (EAP/EFP), are often misused due to both a lack of knowledge and accurate understanding of the two terms. The misuse of these terms in the literature review included in this research suggests that EAAT subfields are loosely defined when compared to formal definitions. A survey was created and distributed to EAAT professionals holding certification in one or more of the most commonly known EAAT organizations to identify which activities, if any, appear to be loosely defined among EAAT professionals when compared to formal definitions and organization standards. Conclusions made from this research suggest that representatives of certain organizations appear to practice more in line with organization standards than others, supporting the need for more uniformity in EAAT definitions. Exploring perceptions of EAP from various professionals within the field will be one of the first steps in helping the EAAT industry accurately understand and decipher between its many terms.