Holistic Approaches in Mental Health and Wellness
Riding Heart to Heart: A Clinical Psychological Perspective on Therapeutic Human-Animal Bonding
Abstract
Prince P. Sreedhar
This article summarizes the effects a rider has on the horse and how it would affect their performance as a whole. It also discusses the causes of injuries and how to correct them with basic horse-rider communication skills. This article helps to understand the need for further research on the psychological factors affecting the horse and rider. It explores how riders can communicate more effectively with their horses to enhance performance. Various journals were consulted for this review, including the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, the Journal of Veterinary Science, New Perspectives on Equine-Assisted Interventions, the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, and Anthrozoös. Sixty-two articles were selected at the initial screening stage, out of which 31 were selected for this article. These articles show that the rider’s effects on the horse are highly correlated, whether positive or negative. These studies demonstrate that with increased practice and time, horse-rider communication will improve, thereby enhancing performance in equitation and the horse-rider partnership.