Boarding school students's perception of being involved in a horse program and academic success : a study focused on self-efficacy, self-regulation, and academic motivation

Abstract

Previous research on therapeutic riding has mostly focused on the physical and cognitive benefits of working with horses, for people with physical or developmental disorders. Little research has looked into the potential benefits that working with horses can bring to normal functioning adolescents. Also, little has been studied about the academic benefits of working with horses. The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of boarding school students who are involved in a horse program and how their involvement impacts their ability to succeed academically. More specifically, the study investigated the perceived relationship of being involved in a riding program and working with horses and students' perceptions of success seen through the lens of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and academic motivation. Further, this study investigates whether previous equine experience has a relationship with boarding school students' perception of their self-efficacy, self-regulation, and academic motivation. The study found a common positive perception where 64 percent of the students viewed being involved in the horse program having a positive influence on their ability to succeed academically. Additionally, this research supports the utilization of a horse program in fostering the development of self-regulation, and promotes the transfer of cognitive skills into the academic domain.