Equine-Assisted Social Work
A Social Work Practice Model
What is EASW?
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Equine-Assisted Social Work (EASW) combines horses with traditional social work practices.
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Horses play a crucial role in promoting balance, connection, and non-verbal communication.
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Participants must use their body language and energy to interact with the horse.
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The experience is challenging yet rewarding.
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EASW has been shown to be an effective complement to traditional social work practices.
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EASW provides additional benefits for those participating.
"Authentic connections occur when a horse is added into the treatment session"
(Carlsson et al., 2014)
Catharina Carlsson, PhD
(Coined EASW)
Our students need experiential field placements.
When a student must manage their self before a client and a horse, the core competencies of service, social justice and more come to life"
MaryBeth Ali, MSW
(Professor, Social Work Field Education)
“Clients get 100% of me as a social worker when a horse in nature is added, rather than the 60% or 70% of me in a traditional office setting"
S6-Respondent to Qualitative Research Study-IRB # Pro2021002055
EASW as a Complement or Alternative to Traditional Social Work Practice
Practical - Ethical - Instinctive - Inclusive - Authentic - Fun
Experiential - Hopeful - Novel - Alternative
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Adding a horse into treatment adds an authentic and ever-changing dynamic.
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A horse does not acknowledge social constructs such as age, gender, race, country of origin, language, religion, politics, or socio-economics.
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The horse responds to the energy present and whether there is safety or danger.
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The horse will yield away from risk or pressure.
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The horse added into the social work arena diffuses the power traditionally given to a social worker.
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The client's power is elevated to the same footing as the social worker.
Learn More:
Online learning series
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A qualitative Research Study was designed and executed in 2021.
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12 social workers with minimum master's level graduate degrees and certification from an accredited Equine Assisted Services Organization participated in the study.
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The study aimed to learn about the experiences in the field of Equine-Assisted Services.
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The implications from the study indicated a need to create a practice model and build a community around the ethical practice of equine-assisted services performed by a social worker.
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Equine-Assisted Social Work (EASW) is one such model.
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The online learning series will establish the foundations of Equine-Assisted Social Work (EASW).
