Horses distinguish between positive and negative human facial expressions.
In a study published in Biology Letters, horses showed different behavioural and physiological responses to happy and angry human faces.
Read the study →
MC Experience / Research
Research that informs the experience.
What the research tells us. What remains uncertain. And why those boundaries matter.
Scientific evidence
Evidence before marketing claims.
Research into human–horse interaction and equine-assisted services is growing, but findings are mixed. Some areas show promise; others have important limitations. That is why we distinguish experiential learning from clinical treatment.
Horses can combine facial and vocal cues to human emotion.
Research published in Animals identified cross-modal categorisation of human emotional signals, with differences in behaviour and heart rate.
Read the study →Equine-assisted experiential learning is an emerging field in leadership development.
A recent narrative review links these programmes to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, non-verbal communication, trust, adaptability and cohesion — while acknowledging that robust evidence of effectiveness remains limited.
Read the review →Some clinical settings show encouraging signals, but the strength of the evidence calls for caution.
A systematic review and meta-analysis involving veterans found reductions in PTSD symptoms, but almost all included studies raised concerns or had a high risk of bias.
Read the review →For ADHD, reviews point to preliminary evidence, not definitive conclusions.
One review found promising results for certain functions and quality-of-life measures; another highlighted inconsistency and the lack of sufficient high-quality research.
Read the review →Equine-assisted interventions should never be presented as a cure.
A critical review published in 2014 identified serious methodological shortcomings in the clinical research then available. Later studies have strengthened evidence in some specific areas, but careful, responsible claims remain essential.
Read the review →What this means in practice
At MC Experience, horses are part of a setting for experiential learning, relationships and wellbeing. We do not make unsupported treatment claims, nor do we replace diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychiatry, physiotherapy or any other healthcare. Clinical aims must be overseen by appropriately qualified professionals.
See the scientific references cited on this page
- Smith AV, Proops L, Grounds K, Wathan J, McComb K. Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse. Biology Letters. 2016;12(2):20150907. DOI 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0907.
- Trösch M, et al. Horses Categorize Human Emotions Cross-Modally Based on Facial Expression and Non-Verbal Vocalizations. Animals. 2019;9(11):862. DOI 10.3390/ani9110862.
- Sivagurunathan R, et al. Equine-Assisted Experiential Learning: A Literature Review of Embodied Leadership Development in Organizational Behavior. Administrative Sciences. 2025;15(8):298. DOI 10.3390/admsci15080298.
- Provan M, et al. Are equine-assisted services beneficial for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24:544.
- Helmer A, Wechsler T, Gilboa Y. Equine-Assisted Services for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2021;27(6):477–488.
- Anestis MD, et al. Equine-related treatments for mental disorders lack empirical support: a systematic review of empirical investigations. J Clin Psychol. 2014;70(12):1115–1132.
Research informs the practice. Each experience still begins with the people taking part, their circumstances and their aims.
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