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Analyzing Changes in Learner Confidence and Motivation to Read With Equine-Assisted Learning
Photos shown below are from different Rearing2Read sessions to protect participants of this study.
Introduction
Rearing2Read is a non-profit located in Hillsborough, North Carolina. It follows the Horse Powered Reading® curriculum to help students find confidence and motivation to read while also filling in the gaps in the learner's reading abilities. Together, the learners, horses, and facilitators work together to explore each child's unique road to becoming a stronger reader.
Many studies have been done on the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy. Not as much has been done on equine-assisted learning.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate learners' engagement in and willingness to read across the course of a six-week after-school equine-assisted reading program.
Methodology
The study followed four learners through the six-week program and examined changes in the learners’ confidence and motivation by using:
Pre- and post-surveys from participants
Post-participation surveys by parents of participants
Pre-, mid-, and post-Interviews with participants
Participants
This study included four participants who had reading difficulties for a variety of reasons, and their parents/guardians. Students typically enroll in the Rearing2Read after-school program due to struggles with reading, as that is the focus of the program. Such struggles may include: AD/HD, dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, anxiety, depression, learning English as a second language, and family trauma.
Many of these difficulties were true for this group of students, but individual details are not included to protect participant privacy. The students were in third through fifth grade.
Results
Increased Confidence
The students showed an increase in confidence while leading, grooming and handling the horses, as well as reading out loud to them. Students were comfortable reading aloud “because they are animals and they don’t notice mistakes.”
Increased Motivation
The participants shared that they were motivated to work on their reading goals because they knew that they would be allowed to “ride the horses!” when they had all met their goals.
Increased Enjoyment
They enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere that the farm provided because it was “quiet and the horses are calming.” They also enjoyed the connections that they made with the animals, reading instructors, and peers.
Post Survey Results
Conclusion
Over the course of the six-week program, participants bonded with different animals around the farm that they enjoyed reading to and working with. The interview responses shared that the students felt much more confident to read out loud when it was to a horse or farm animal because the animal would not try to correct their mistakes.
The participants explained a “lack of judgment” from the horses when reading. The students' post-program surveys shared the same data that all of the students felt that their motivation to read had increased. The interviews shared that the barn atmosphere helped reduce academic pressure as it was calming and quiet.
Parent Quote: “I noticed that Emma carries a book with her whenever we go out in the car now. She never did this before.”
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