Table 3.

Phases of the equine assisted therapy sessions: duration, role of horses and patients, and data collection.

Phases	Anticipatory Phase	Interaction Patient-Horse on the Ground	Interaction Patient-Horse on Horseback	Recovery Phase
Duration	15 min	30 min	30 min	15 min
Role of the patients	The patients arrive at the therapy area. The therapy area is a covered area where conditions of safety and comfort are guaranteed for both horses and patients. In this phase, the therapy team explains to the patients the activities to be performed and prepare the material is going to be used during the session	Several activities that facilitate close contact between the patient and the horse were carried out in this phase, such as caressing and brushing, as well as several activities aimed at taking care of the horse’s basic needs, such as providing food and water. Other activities varied depending on the patient, but were mainly aimed at improving the following aspects: trunk control and body balance through brushing on unstable planes; fine motor skills through the performance of different horse hairstyles; oculo-manual coordination through manipulation of the horse’s clothing; the communicative through the interpretation of the horse’s signals and the elaboration of coherent responses to its demands; executive functions through planning, organization, decision-making and emotional management activities. These activities also served as preparation for riding phase, since these enhance the effect of assisted therapy on the horse.	The back riding technique was used in this phase. This technique is performed in such a way that the therapist sits behind the patient to provide support and align the patient. This technique improves the stability, the control and the postural hygiene. of the patient since the movements of the horse have a beneficial effect on these parameters.	After getting off the horse, the patients stay a little time in the center to recover from the activity.
Role of the horses	The horses are taken out of the box and taken to the therapy area. In this area the horses must have all their needs covered to guarantee a comfortable working climate, so they have water and forage on demand. To guarantee the safety of the patients and ensure a controlled session, the horses remain tied with a bridle and branch, but with sufficient head opening and branch distance, so that they can forage.	Horses interact with the patients, responding to the stimuli they receive from the care activities and any other activity specifically programmed by the therapeutic team for each patient.	The horse is guided towards the working track, either by the patient (accompanied by the therapist), or by the horse-trained guide. The patients access a platform placed close to the horse, through a ramp or ladder. From the platform, the patients easily get on the horses. The horses were mainly ridden at the walk in the track. Horses were led around the track with the help of a horse-trained guide.	The horses finish the activity on the track and return to their resting area, where they can rest and access food and some water. Thus, they can recover from the activity.
Data collection	At the beginning of this phase	At the end of this phase	At the end of this phase.	At the end of this phase