Bridging Science and Horses: A Conversation with Dr. Caiti Peters
At Gentle Gallop, we emphasize the power of horses not only from a riding standpoint, but also through a scientific lens. To better understand how equine-assisted services can influence physical, sensory, cognitive, and emotional well-being, we first had to understand the science behind the human-horse connection and the research that supports these benefits. To get better insight on these important topics, we had the privilege of speaking with a well-known figure in the equine-science field, Dr. Caiti Peters.
Who is Dr. Caiti Peters?
Dr. Caiti Peters is a licensed occupational therapist and assistant professor at Colorado State University, in their college of human health and sciences. In addition to this, she is the director of research at Temple Grandin Equine Center. Through her research, Dr. Peters explores the science behind human-horse interactions, helping us understand why these experiences can have meaningful effects and how we can use evidence-based research to better understand the benefits of working with horses.
Dr. Caiti Peters' Research
1. Feasibility Study (2020)
Researchers Wood, Hepburn, and Merrit, alongside Peters, conducted a study in 2020, that examined whether occupational therapy could be combined with an equine environment to support children with autism. They held a 10-week occupational therapy program without horses, and then compared them to the results of introducing a 10-week program of OT-ZOR Equine. This study was incredibly important because it laid the foundation for their future research by showing the benefits of implementing equine-assisted occupational therapy and identifying considerations for conducting larger studies.
2. Preliminary Efficacy / Controlled Study (2021)
Then in 2021, Peters, Wood, Hepburn, and Moody added to their preliminary research, by adding a control condition. They compared participants receiving the intervention with a control condition, which was occupational therapy in a garden setting, in contrast to those receiving it in an equine setting. This resulted in substantial improvements in the participants, stating that equine-assisted therapies can be as effective if not more than regular therapies. This strengthened their evidence about the potential effectiveness of equine-assisted occupational therapy for children with autism.
3. Mechanism Study (2022)
Another major study Dr. Peters conducted was in 2022, with Pan, Christensen, and Gabriel’s, as they explored the science behind why the equine-assisted interventions had worked. The researchers investigated whether improvements in self-regulation could help explain changes in social functioning, while also measuring physiological indicators of stress, including cortisol and electrodermal activity. The findings suggested that interacting with horses was associated with a lower physiological stress response during sessions. This adds an important scientific layer to the research by connecting behavioral outcomes with measurable changes in the body's stress response.
Current and Upcoming Research
Dr. Peters’ research is also continuing to investigate what parts of working with horses actually contribute to positive outcomes. A HABRI-funded study led by Dr. Peters and Dr. Robin Gabriels is comparing mounted and unmounted interactions, including riding, grooming, and interacting. This research addresses an important limitation in previous studies: not every child can or wants to ride a horse. By studying unmounted alternatives, researchers can determine whether meaningful benefits may come from interacting with horses even without riding them. Another emerging project is exploring an equine-assisted learning program for young adults with Down syndrome, with goals including developing life skills, encouraging physical activity, supporting social engagement, and providing cognitive stimuli.
Interview
In our interview with Dr. Caiti Peters, we explored the science behind equine-assisted services, including how working with horses may support emotional regulation and social functioning in children, why horses can be effective partners in helping children recognize and manage emotions, and the safety practices that make hippotherapy and other equine-assisted therapies both effective and safe. We also discussed her research on horse welfare, including how behavioral and physiological measures can help researchers understand how horses experience these sessions. Finally, we looked at the future of the field and what questions researchers should focus on as scientific evidence surrounding equine-assisted services as the field continues to grow.
Thank you so much to Dr. Peters for taking the time to speak with me, and for sharing so much information on all the amazing work she and Temple Grandin Equine Center are doing!
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