PhD Student

Start date : October 2022 Mode: Full-time

Supervisors

Director of Studies: Dr Jane Williams
Second Supervisor: Professor Angel Chater
Third Supervisor: Professor Andrew Church

Working thesis title

Investigating the benefits of equestrian activities on mental health and well-being.

Abstract

Mental health is of vital importance to an individual’s well-being (World Health Organisation, 2022), however, 1 in 4 people in England are likely to experience a mental health problem of some kind each year (Mind, 2022).

There are an estimated 800,000 to 1,350,000 equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, and their hybrids) currently residing in Great Britain (Horseman et al., 2016), with 1.8 million individuals regularly taking part in equestrian activities (BETA National Equestrian Survey, 2019). The overall positive effects of equine interactions on humans are recorded in literature (Kendall et al., 104; Pendry et al., 2017; Ward et al., 2022). Equine-assisted interventions have been found to influence aspects including self-image, self-control, trust, and life satisfaction (Bachi et al., 2011), hope and depression (Frederick et al., 2015), and increases in self-esteem and self-confidence (Chandler, 2005). However, much of the research has focused on physiological effects (i.e. improving balance, gross motor function, coordination, posture, and strength, reducing or managing chronic pain) (Bachi et al., 2011; Mateo et al., 2020; Stergiou et al., 2017), and on specific population groups, such as children, the elderly, or those living with physical disabilities.

This research aims to investigate the role of equestrian activities on the mental health and well-being of the general population throughout the lifespan, the barriers and facilitators of engaging in equestrian activities, and the acceptability and feasibility of equestrian activities as a green social prescribing option.

Research questions

• What are the benefits of equestrian activities to mental health and well-being across the lifespan.
• What are the COM-B barriers and facilitators to the engagement in equestrian activities for both engaged and non-engaged users; how can the Behaviour Change Wheel assist in future intervention development with this insight.
• What is the acceptability and feasibility for equestrian activities to be used for green social prescription to enhance mental health and wellbeing.

Get involved

I welcome any individuals who feel that their mental health has been (or could be) influenced by equines and are interested in participating in any of my studies to contact me.

About me

After completing my BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Lincoln, I began my professional career as a secondary school teacher of Physical Education. I have subsequently gone on to work in the charity sector, at World Horse Welfare and Racing to School. During this time, I completed a part-time MSc in Equine Science at the University of Edinburgh. I have had a particular interest in the horse-human partnership throughout my career, and have been fortunate to observe their interconnectedness in many different countries and contexts. Outside of academia, I enjoying running and spending time with our two horses and dog.    

Contact information

Email: Victoria.Newton@study.beds.ac.uk

LinkedIn: Vicki Newton