title: Equine-related treatments for mental disorders lack empirical support: a systematic review of empirical investigations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Equine-related treatments (ERT) for mental disorders are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of diagnoses; however, they have been subjected only to limited systematic investigation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the quality of and results from peer-reviewed research on ERT for mental disorders and related outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peer-reviewed studies (k = 14) examining treatments for mental disorders or closely related outcomes were identified from databases and article reference sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All studies were compromised by a substantial number of threats to validity, calling into question the meaning and clinical significance of their findings. Additionally, studies failed to provide consistent evidence that ERT is superior to the mere passage of time in the treatment of any mental disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current evidence base does not justify the marketing and utilization of ERT for mental disorders. Such services should not be offered to the public unless and until well-designed studies provide evidence that justify different conclusions.
authors: University of Southern Mississippi.
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Anestis
authors: Joye C
authors: JC
authors: Anestis
authors: Laci L
authors: LL
authors: Zawilinski
authors: Tiffany A
authors: TA
authors: Hopkins
authors: Scott O
authors: SO
authors: Lilienfeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: equine assisted psychotherapy; evidence based psychotherapy; pseudoscience; therapeutic horseback riding