Research

Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.
- Zora Neale Hurston

Research Vision

USU Equine Experience seeks to be among the regional, national, and global leaders in research related to equine-assisted services and the equine-human bond.

Completed Presentations, Fact Sheets, and Publications

2024

• Marchand, W.R., Smith, J., Nazarenko E.E., Joubert, K., Black, K., Osborne,M.L., Andersen, S., Bell, K., Baldwin S., Klinger, W.R., Connelly, H., Sheppard, S., Hoopes, K.H. (2024). A pilot replication study of Implementing an Equine-Assisted Services Program Within a VA Residential substance use disorder treatment program. Military Medicine, 189(1-2). https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad274

• Pahlke, M.L., Hoopes, K.H. (2024). How to support recreational trail rides for military Veterans as an equine veterinarian. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

• Pahlke, M.L., Hoopes, K.H. (2024). How veterinarians can support equine-assisted services centers and programming. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

• Osborne, M.L., Hoopes, K.H., Black, H.F., Connelly, H., Klinger, W.R., Joubert, K., Nazarenko, E.E., Marchand. W.R., Sheppard, S.R. (2024). Examining the psychological measures and feasibility of recreational trail rides in reducing cravings for addictive substances among Veterans: A replication pilot study. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae352 . Military Medicine.

• Marchand, W.R., Smith, J., Nazarenko E.E., Joubert, K., Black, K., Osborne, M.L., Andersen, S., Bell, K., Baldwin S., Klinger, W.R., Connelly, H., Sheppard, S., Hoopes, K.H. (2024). Equine-assisted services for veterans with substance use disorders: A second pilot replication study and synthesis of three investigations. [Manuscript submitted for publication].

• Osborne, M.L. (2024). An evaluation of U.S. horseback riding instruction certifications. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

2023

• Andersen, S., Pate, M., Smith, J., Clement, H., Judd-Murray, M., (2023). Validation of a Basic Ground Skills Assessment for Equine-assisted Services. Emerging Animal Species, 8, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eas.2023.100030

• Andersen, S., Pate, M., Smith, J., Clement, H., Judd-Murray, M., (2023). Equine Assessment Procedures in Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Programs. Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 29:2, 99-108. doi: 10.13031/jash.15457

• Marchand, W. R., Smith, J., Hoopes, K. H., Andersen, S. J., Bell, K., Nazarenko, E., Macneill, R., & Joubert, K. (March 2023). A pilot observational study of horsemanship skills training for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102910

• Marchand, W. R., Smith, J., Nazarenko, E., Joubert, K., Black, H., Osborne., M., Andersen., S., Bell., K., Baldwin., Shannon., Klinger.,William., Connelly., Heather., Sheppard., S., Hoopes., K. (2023). A pilot replication study of implementing an equine-assisted services program within a VA residential substance use disorder treatment program. Military Medicine.

• Osborne, M.L. (2023). An evaluation of U.S. horseback riding instruction certifications: Availability, acquisition, barriers, and industry need. All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 8698. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/8698

2022

• Hoopes, K.H., Osborne, M.L., Marchand, W.R., Joubert, K, Nazarenko, E., Black, H., Klinger, W., Sheppard, S., (2022). A pilot observational study of recreational trail riding for Veterans with substance use. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 65 (102813). 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102813

• Hoopes, K. H., Osborne, M., Marchand, W., Joubert, K., Nazarenko, E., Black, H., Klinger, W., & Sheppard, S. R. (2022). A pilot observational study of recreational trail riding for Veterans with addictive disorders. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 65, 102813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102813

• Osborne, M. L. (2022, September). Draft breeds in equine-assisted services: Power horses. PATH Intl. Strides, 28, 22–27.

2021

• Fine, A. H., Andersen, S. J. (March 2021). A commentary on the contemporary issues confronting animal assisted and equine assisted interactions. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103436 

• Marchand, W. R., Andersen, S. J., Smith, J. E., Hoopes, K. H., & Carlson J. K. (February 2021). Equine-assisted activities and therapies for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: Current state, challenges and future directions, Chronic Stress, https://doi.org/ 10.1177/2470547021991556

2020

• Hoopes, K. H., & Osborne, M. (2020). Ride Utah! Resiliency-building horse rides for military personnel and families. The Journal of Extension, 58(5), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.58.05.02 

• Hoopes, K. H., Osborne, M., Marchand, W., Joubert, K., Nazarenko, E., Black, H., Klinger, W., & Sheppard, S. R. (2022). A pilot observational study of recreational trail riding for Veterans with addictive disorders. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 65, 102813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102813

2019

• Osborne, M. (2019). Improving military personnel resiliency through recreational trail rides. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 76, 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.189

• Osborne, M. L. (2019). Improving military personnel resiliency through recreational trail rides. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 76, 121. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080619302965?via=ihub

• Osborne, M.L., Hoopes, K.H., Smith, J. (2019). How to choose a good trail horse. USU Extension: All Current Publications. Paper 2056. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2056