Introduction: Researchers propose a psychological model to explain underlying processes in eagala-model equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), supported by data from client sessions. The model describes human-horse interaction as having direct effects on transient psychological states, such as mood and anxiety, while having indirect effects on the long-term outcome of emotional growth and learning.
Methodology: A total of 112 men and women participated in a correlational study, permitting the use of self-report data from EAP sessions within the eagala model. Human-horse interaction and metaphor were studied as process variables, while subjective distress and psychosocial learning were investigated as outcome variables.
Results: Participants reported a range of interactions between humans and horses, and the quantity of human-horse interaction was a significant predictor of reduced subjective distress. Metaphor data indicated horses most often represented family, friends, or feelings. Analyses suggest the relationship between human-animal interaction and psychosocial learning is mediated by the extent to which horses serve as metaphors for people and issues in the client’s life.
Principle Conclusions & Implications for the Field: The results provide empirical support for eagala’s notion that metaphor is critical to EAP outcomes. Findings are discussed as they relate to developing theory on the role of human-animal interactions in EAP and other animal-assisted therapies.