Repository logo
 

A pilot study of behavioral and physiological markers of stress in horses during equine-assisted learning for youth with social-emotional concerns

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSingh, Ashley, author
dc.contributor.authorGrandin, Temple, advisor
dc.contributor.authorPeters, Caiti, advisor
dc.contributor.authorMatlock, Sarah, committee member
dc.contributor.authorNett, Terry, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2023-08-28T10:27:47Z
dc.date.available2023-08-28T10:27:47Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstractEquine Assisted Learning (EAL) is an increasingly popular service in providing comfort and life skills for youth who have social-emotional concerns. There is mixed evidence in previous research that shows increased stress in horses in EASs who are interacting with the population of youth with social- emotional concerns. This pilot study aimed to look physiological and behavioral indicators of stress in horses involved in equine assisted learning for youth with social- emotional concerns. This within-subject design included 11 horses and 18 human participants. Indicators of equine stress included salivary cortisol, eye temperature, and equine behavior. On average, indicators of stress in horses were not significantly different while the horses interacted with youth with social- emotional concerns compared to a control condition. There was a significant condition x week interaction effect such that horses demonstrated higher levels of cortisol in week 3 while interacting with youth with social- emotional concerns compared to the control condition, but this difference did not exist by Weeks 5 and 7. These condition by week interaction effects did not exist in equine eye temperature or behavior. This study provides evidence that interacting with youth with social- emotional concerns was not more stressful for horses that interacting with another population that commonly participates in EAL.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierSinghRichards_colostate_0053N_17847.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/236795
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectbehavioral
dc.subjectequine assisted services
dc.subjectyouth with social-emotional concerns
dc.subjectequine assisted learning
dc.subjectanimal assisted therapy
dc.subjectphysiological
dc.titleA pilot study of behavioral and physiological markers of stress in horses during equine-assisted learning for youth with social-emotional concerns
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineAnimal Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
SinghRichards_colostate_0053N_17847.pdf
Size:
667.02 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

2020-
Theses and Dissertations