Hästens helande kraft : En kvalitativ studie om användandet av hästen i behandling av människor med psykiska och fysiska funktionsnedsättningar

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the arguments that a number of professionals in equine-assisted therapy had for having the horse as part of the treatment of people with mental and physical disabilities. The analysis was based on two theories: Antonovsky's theory of salutogenesis, including the concept of sense of coherence, and Bowlbys attachment theory. The study was based on qualitative interviews with four active equine-assisted therapists. The interviews were analysed with a thematic analyse method. The result shows that equine-assisted therapy affects people with different types of problems, which is consistent with previous research. Respondents could also describe the motives for using equine-assisted interventions. Here, the results differ but central to all the respondents' use of equine-assisted therapy was: the relationship building, the horse power to heal and the fact that the therapy is experience-based. If we look at the horse in the treatment process, all respondents raise the sensitivity of the horse, which makes it easy to reflect a human. The respondents also describe the horse as non-evaluating and non-human and it causes it to possess qualities like a friend which gives warmth and listen. We also find difficulties with the therapy. All respondents raise the financial difficulty of doing a equine-supported activity. Many also mean that there are few Swedish studies in this area. One respondent's response also stated that it sometimes is too little focus on the horse in the field.