Using Virtual Reality to Deliver Equine Assisted Services

A study using virtual reality to deliver equine-assisted learning in Australia has been undertaken as part of an overall thesis to explore the question “Can interactions with horses in person and in virtual reality improve individuals’ health and well-being?”. A scoping review, completed for the thesis, identified knowledge gaps, of which two were related to: (1) accessibility and (2) the use of technology. A purposive sample of eight participants participated in the virtual reality study, in which they interacted with horses using virtual reality. A qualitative methodology using Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis was used to understand the participants’ experiences with horse interactions in a virtual reality environment.

The findings revealed that virtual reality participants experienced similar benefits as face-to-face participants, identified from sources of evidence in the scoping review: (1) regulating emotion, (2) sense of connection, (3) mindfulness, and (4) physical well-being. The use of virtual reality in equine-assisted learning can be considered to increase the access of equine-assisted learning to a broader range of participants. Ultimately, the outcomes and benefits of delivering equine assisted learning to participants via virtual reality, can improve their overall health and well-being.