Summary of Evidence
You can find a one page summary of the large body of evaluation by external academics and other experts, including papers in international peer-reviewed academic journals and presentations at international conferences for the HorseCourse here
A Study Exploring the Implementation of an Equine Assisted Intervention for Young People with Mental Health and Behavioural Issues 2019
Read a feasibility study explores the potential of TheHorseCourse reStart as an appropriate subject for a gold-standard RCT clinical study and includes some cost benefit indicators here
An Exploration of the Mechanism of Action of an Equine-Assisted Intervention 2019
A bio-physiology study investigating the emotional learning journey during TheHorseCourse ReStart, published in a high impact international journal. Read it here
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
General Adult Psychiatry Annual Conference 2018
See a poster presentation of Dr N Kosky's findings here
A Feasibility Study of an Equine Assisted Intervention for Children and Young People with Mental Health and Behavioural Challenges, 2018
Professor Ann Hemingway, BU – oral presentation at Horses in Education & Therapy International 2018 Congress, Dublin. Read it here
A Pilot Study of the Mechanism of Action of an Equine Assisted Intervention, 2018
TBU, multi-discipinary team – oral presentation at Horses in Education & Therapy International 2018 Congress, Dublin. Read it here
A Call to Action, 2017
Bournmouth University and others are calling for funding for an RCT (randomised controlled trial) or other large scale controlled evaluation of The HorseCourse ReStart.
It follows their analysis of the follow-up data on 126 participants of which 81% of participants shifted in a positive direction across 8 inter-related core skills.
A summary of their report and recommendations is available here
The HorseCourse evidence to date, 2016
A summary of all the evaluation studies of the HorseCourse work including a snapshot of how the ReStart works.
Full copies of most of the studies are available here
Youth Outcomes Summary Report,2015
A full copy of this report, produced with support from Charities Evaluation Services (part of NCVO) is available here
33% average improvement in managing anxiety
29% average gain across eight core skills: Engagement, Calmness, Assertiveness, Focus & Perseverance, Empathy, Realistic Planning, Communication, Responsibility
85% of participants increased attendance/engagement with education
80% of referrers attribute improvements to TheHorseCourse, (55% strongly)
Evidence Review, working with offenders 2015
Highlighting a 27 % points reduction in reoffending and including Theory of Change and Contribution Analysis, this report was written in collaboration with New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) & CLINKS.
It was peer reviewed by the Correctional Services Accreditation & Advisory Panel (CSAAP), Ministry of Justice.
A full copy of the report is available here
Highlighting a 27 % points reduction in reoffending and including Theory of Change and Contribution Analysis, this report was written in collaboration with New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) & CLINKS.
It was peer reviewed by the Correctional Services Accreditation & Advisory Panel (CSAAP), Ministry of Justice.
A full copy of the report is available here
Evidence Review, working with offenders 2015
Moving Forward in Recovery Pilot, 2015
Produced by EDP Drug and Alcohol Services (main service provider in the Southwest, UK), key findings include:
5% of participants shifted from disengaged/not progressing in treatment to attending and progressing. They attribute this change to the course.
On average they also made a 12% improvement on the 8 skills taught by TheHorseCourse.
A full copy of the report is available here
The HorseCourse Interim Evaluation Report, 2012
Including a 2015 update and written by Dr Rosie Meek, Head of Criminology, Royal Holloway University
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A full copy of the report is available here
Dissertation by Rachel Natasha Thomas, 2013
A careful analysis of exit interviews of prisoner participants by Natasha Thomas, BSc Applied Social Sciences (Criminology)
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A full copy of the dissertation is available here