Zaker, Ashleigh, authorStallones, Lorann, advisorGibbons, Alyssa, committee memberPeters, B. Caitlin, committee memberTompkins, Sara Anne, committee member2024-01-012025-12-292023https://hdl.handle.net/10217/237355This research aimed to develop and validate the Human-Equine Attachment Questionnaire (HEAQ), a self-report scale to assess attachment within the human-equine bond. Attachment to animals, particularly horses, presents unique dynamics that require specialized measurement. This study explored attachment styles in human-horse relationships, focusing on secure, insecure-anxious, and insecure-avoidant dimensions. The HEAQ underwent rigorous psychometric evaluation, which included confirmatory factor analysis and an assessment of construct validity. The data revealed that attachment within the human-equine bond is multifaceted, aligning with attachment styles observed in human-human relationships. Participants exhibited three distinct attachment styles – secure, insecure-anxious, and insecure-avoidant. This alignment confirms the existence of an attachment bond between humans and horses, which is complex and nuanced, featuring both secure and insecure attachment patterns. It is important to acknowledge that the internal reliability scores fell below recommended thresholds on the refined model. This is partly attributed to the reduced number of items within each factor post-misfit item removal, emphasizing the need for further scale refinement in order to enhance internal reliability. The study also explored the validity of the HEAQ by assessing convergent and discriminant evidence. Correlations between the HEAQ subscales and established scales, including the Pet Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ), Adult Attachment Scale (AAS), The Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Scale (ECC-RS), the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and the Positivity scales, provided insights into the HEAQ's relationship with similar and distinct constructs. These findings highlighted the distinctive features of attachment within the human-equine bond and underscored the need for a specialized attachment scale tailored to the unique dynamics of the human-equine bond. This research contributes to understanding the human-equine bond, with implications for the equine industry and Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAIs). The HEAQ's continued development will lead to a comprehensive assessment tool, facilitating further research into the dynamics of attachment within the human-equine bond and its potential impact on well-being in diverse contexts. Future research should focus on refining the HEAQ, examining item wording, exploring the attachment bond from the equine side, and assessing its applicability in various cultural and socio-economic contexts.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright 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.equine-assisted interventionshuman-animal bondpet attachmentequine-assisted servicesattachmenthuman-equine attachmentTextEmbargo expires: 12/29/2025.