WHAT do a therapy horse and a robot have in common? Not much — yet. But that may be about to change, thanks to some intriguing research from the University of Bristol that’s galloping through the world of therapeutic tech with surprising inspiration: equine-assisted services (EAS).

Presented at the prestigious CHI Conference 2025 in Yokohama, Japan earlier this year, the study suggests that therapeutic robots should stop playing the part of bland, compliant comforters — and start acting more like emotionally intelligent ponies.

“Most social robots today are designed to be obedient and predictable — following commands and prioritising user comfort,” says lead researcher Ellen Weir from Bristol’s Faculty of Science and Engineering. “Our research challenges this assumption.”

Reactive beings

Anyone familiar with EAS — especially those involving patients with PTSD, trauma, or autism — will nod along knowingly. Therapy horses aren’t soft toys. They’re perceptive, reactive beings who hold up a mirror to human emotion. When someone is tense or dysregulated, the horse resists. When calm and clarity return, so does connection.

It’s this “living mirror” effect that inspired the Bristol team. “Therapeutic robots should not be passive companions but active co-workers,” Weir continues. “Just as horses respond only when a person is calm and emotionally regulated, therapeutic robots should resist engagement when users are stressed or unsettled.”

Self-awareness

Imagine a robot that doesn’t obey on cue, but gently withholds interaction until you find your centre. It’s not about punishment — it’s about prompting self-awareness, just like a wise old cob who won’t budge unless you’re grounded, present, and polite.

And the implications go beyond therapy yards. Researchers believe this emotionally intelligent approach could shape how robots support us in workplaces, schools, and even stressful households. It’s about fostering empathy and trust.

Of course, robots aren’t horses. But this research doesn’t aim to replace four-legged therapists — it aims to translate the magic of their silent lessons into new forms that reach more people. Because as anyone who’s ever had a breakthrough in the arena knows: the best therapy doesn’t always speak the loudest. Sometimes, it simply stands still and waits for you to breathe.