This thesis contains three essays on topics in agricultural economics. The research is focused on the economic effects of different trade policies applied within the US, Canada and the European Union. <p>Essay one evaluates the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the single EU common market. The degree of integration of these three countries in agricultural trade in the EU has not previously been evaluated. Trade theory suggests that one of the outcomes resulting from a regional trade agreement is increased market integration among markets in member states. The cointegration of the commodity prices across countries is tested using time-series techniques. This method is important as it can be applied to questions relating to globalization. <p>Essay two examines the biofuel industry in Canada and US from a trade perspective. The development of a large market for biofuels is judged to have two main benefits for North America: environmental benefits in Canada and energy security in the US. A theoretical model is developed using the option value theory to determine whether the two distinct motivating factors can lead to different levels of optimal subsidies in each country. While the development of a biofuel industry is viewed as extremely important in a number of countries, the trade laws on subsidies with respect these products lacks clarity. This research represents an important step in understanding the economics of biofuels and the situations where trade disputes can be expected to appear in the future.<p>Dumping is the subject of the third essay where the strategies of firms in the face of an anti-dumping action are examined using game theory. The possibility of free riding in case of an anti-dumping petition is investigated in two situations: the benefits of the anti-dumping case are considered either a public good or a joint product. The second situation can be applied only for US, because of so-called Byrd Amendment. The theoretical model developed represents an important contribution to trade policy and it can be easily applied when examining the effects of other trade or domestic policies.

This mixed-methods study examined the effects of participation in a 10-week therapeutic horseback riding program on communicative behaviors in participants diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors utilized the Naples Equestrian Challenge Participant Initial Evaluation to complete a pre-evaluation prior to the first riding session and a post-evaluation during the last session. Following the post-evaluation, the researcher collected qualitative data through conducting parent interviews. The study included 16 participants (M = 12.62; age range 5-23 years old, 8 females and 8 males). Change scores for each participant were calculated and an aggregated mean for pre- and post-evaluations were determined and results indicated increases in all seven communication indicators. Analysis of parent interviews also revealed improvements in communicative skills and behaviors. Overall, results indicate improvements in communication for children and adolescents with developmental disability and the need to further investigate therapeutic horseback riding as an efficacious therapy.

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Pasaulyje, jau seniai egzistuoja daugiau nei 100 hipoterapijos centrų, o Lietuvoje šis terapijos metodas net nėra įteisintas. Hipoterapiją, kaip alternatyvios terapijos rūšį būtų galima panaudoti siekiant fizinės, psichologinės, socialinės ir pedagoginės naudos sveikatos sutrikimų turintiems žmonėms. Labai svarbu išsiaiškinti Lietuvos žirgininkų požiūrį į hipoterapiją ir sužinoti kiek jų sutiktų būti šios terapijos komandos nariais. Teorinėje darbo dalyje apibendrinta hipoterapijos nauda žmogaus fizinei ir psichinei būklei, trumpai aptariama jos panaudojimo galimybės ir aprašyti pagrindiniai reikalavimai hipoterapijos vykdymui. Tyrimo objektas – žirgininkų požiūris. Tyrimo tikslas – ištirti Lietuvos žirgininkų požiūrį į dalyvavimą hipoterapijoje. Tyrimas atliktas žirgų konkūrų varžybose, jojimo sporto klube „Miražas“. Duomenys buvo renkami taikant apklausą raštu. Tyrimo instrumentas – anketa. Apklausoje dalyvavo 30 respondentų. / All over the world there exist more than 100 hippotherapy centres for a long time, and in Lithuania this therapeutic method is not even validated. Hippotherapy as an alternative kind of therapy could be used gaining physical, psychological, social, and pedagogical benefit in people with health disorders. It is very important to find out Lithuanian horse breeders’ approach to hippotherapy and learn how many of them would agree to become members of this therapy team. The theoretical part summarizes the hippotherapy benefits on a person’s physical and mental status, briefly discusses its usage possibilities and describes the main requirements for carrying out hippotherapy. The subject of the study – horse breedersapproach. The objective of the study is to investigatehorse-breeders approach to participation in hippotherapy.The study was carried out in the horse show jumping competitions, and in the riding sports club “Miražas”. The data were collected by written survey. 30 respondents participated in the survey.

Title of the work: Comparison of selected European riding schools and riding education system in the Czech Republic Work goals: Mention all available riding schools in the Czech Republic, their description and comparison with selected European riding schools Methods: Analysis of literature sources and other available materials, description of individual programs of the mentioned schools, comparison based on the results of the individual schools and the level of their alumni Conclusion: The level of riding education in the Czech Republic is lower than in the compared foreign schools. The selected European schools have much longer tradition and also more elaborate education system. The Czech Republic faces lack of qualified trainers, as well as lack of funds. The success of the riding schools alumni is much higher at the foreign schools than in the Czech Republic, which is caused both by the level of the alumni and more work opportunities abroad.

The last decade has witnessed a growing trend toward developing new ways in which human beings may benefit from the creative and non-exploitative use of animals. These animals, generally having some special or unique quality and often referred to as companion animals or pets, have demonstrated a therapeutical value for many persons far beyond the parameters of simple recreation.

Group work is pervading modern society's life with potentially huge advantages but also the peril of motivational losses. This master thesis focuses on the latter ones, namely on free-riding and social loafing, in the educational context. I conducted a field research at the Institute of Economic Studies at Charles University in Prague. The results are set into context with existing studies from the US, scrutinizing the generalizability of these studies. Students of this sample consider teamwork as relatively neutral, appreciate the possibility to learn from each other the strongest and consider free-riding as the biggest disadvantage. Free-riders are described as poorly prepared, having trouble to complete work at home and delivering poor quality work. As remedy, students prefer to be able to pick a team on their own. This thesis can partially confirm prior research but also contradicts some anterior findings since free-riders in this thesis are not described as behaving distractively and students do not primarily want instructors to grade them on their individual performance.

This study investigated the outcomes and practice of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) for children aged 9 to 12 diagnosed with Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study was carried out in order to gain new insights in the learning and growth processes facilitated by Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) and to improve practice. Two learning and growth processes were identified and investigated: establishing a therapeutic vision and infusing it into the therapeutic plan and facilitating the transfer of newly learned or improved skills and learning strategies from the riding learning environment to parallel learning environments such as the client’s school and home. The research also explored ways to amplify levels of skill acquired during THR sessions and to support the transformation process experienced by THR clients. A pilot exploratory survey was conducted among THR practitioners and participating parents. In depth interviews and observations were conducted. A multiple case study paradigm was selected for the purpose of the study. In depth interviews were conducted with children diagnosed with ADHD, parents, and teachers. In addition, relevant documents were examined. A THR manual for practitioners was developed to support and inform learning partnerships between school (teachers), THR practitioners (THRPs) and children and their family, in order to standardise THR practice. The findings of this research showed that the THR practitioners (THRPs) should facilitate the acquisition and transfer of skills and strategies learned during THR sessions to other environments, such as family and school, in order to improve the quality of life of children diagnosed having ADHD. The Knowing Therapeutic Horseback Riding (KTR) model of THR practice emerged and was shown to be effective in promoting a learning and growth partnership between school, THR practitioner, client and his family. The KTR model calls for the nurturing of this partnership in order to support the learned skills and amplify them.

This thesis focuses on employees of the horse riding school sector within the United Kingdom. It is based on qualitative fieldwork at two riding schools that took place over the course of three years and asks two questions: why do women numerically dominate within the setting of the riding school? How can we best understand this phenomenon using sociological literature? The subject for this thesis was motivated by my own prior experience as a worker within this industry. The thesis will position the riding school sector within theoretical understandings of gender in the workplace, and women in society more generally. It will contribute to theorising about occupational segregation by sex, and current understanding of emotional labour, especially regarding the emotion work that is carried out around non-human animals. The riding school setting will be explored in terms of the skills that are valued by employees and the methods by which these skills are acquired. It will be demonstrated that concepts around skill provide a framework which maintains and recreates a concentration of women within the industry. Additionally, the gendered framework of the riding school will be positioned within a broader cultural understanding of the ‘innate' skills of women, and the low value and status of these skills relative to those ‘possessed' by men. The research will also explore the complexities of employee responses to the gendered representation of their work. The emotional labour that is undertaken in relation to non-human animals will be explicated, paying specific attention to gendered patterns displayed in this labour. Lastly, the thesis will scrutinise assumptions regarding positive emotional displays towards the horses by employees and will ask whether work with non-human animals evokes a greater sense of emotional authenticity than work with humans.

« L’équitation est une activité pratiquée par les riches ou les homosexuels ! ». Les stéréotypes entourant les pratiques équestres sont nombreux minimisant la variété même des pratiques et usages existants. Si le saut d’obstacle, le dressage ou le complet sont des disciplines olympiques, les courses en hippodrome, la randonnée, l’endurance, l’équithérapie, etc., mobilisent des dizaines de milliers de personnes en France chaque année. Les études qui se sont jusqu’ici intéressées à la question équestre sont nombreuses, mais s’intéressent bien souvent à la pratique compétitive à côté de laquelle vivoterait un « loisir » sans autre intérêt que de passer du temps, voire en prenant du plaisir, à cheval. Pourtant, s’intéresser à l’histoire équestre invite à la réflexion. En effet, l’équitation, quelle que soit sa forme actuelle, est issue d’une pratique guerrière. D’où la question que pose cette étude : l’équitation ne serait-elle pas, en fait, un art martial qui s’ignore ? Au travers d’une étude socio-historique de l’activité, de l’observation participante dans plusieurs centres équestres, d’équitation traditionnelle mais aussi éthologique, des entretiens avec des cavalières-cavaliers (n =50) l’étude s’attache à comprendre ce que signifie devenir cavalier au 21e siècle voire se revendiquer comme tel. La recherche menée constate l’ascendance guerrière de l’équitation au plan historique, mais aussi pour certains cavaliers au niveau d’une éthique à défendre, de valeurs à restaurer. « L’apprentissage par corps » adossé à l’observation et aux entretiens avec des professionnels équestres, au sens de leur engagement social dans leur discipline, autorisent largement la comparaison, si ce n’est l’intégration, de l’équitation avec les arts guerriers ou martiaux. / “Horse-riding is practiced by rich people or homosexuals!” There are plenty of stereotypes regarding equestrian activities which minimize the variety and even the existing kinds and uses. If jumping, dressage and eventing are Olympic disciplines, racing, trail riding, endurance, equine therapy and so on, mobilize tens of thousands of people in France each year.Studies which talk about the equestrian question are numerous, but often focus their interest on the competitive practice rather than a “leisure activity” whose interest is to spend time, even having fun on horse. However, an interest in equestrian history provokes thought. Indeed, horse-riding, in whatever actual form, is the result of war practice. Here comes the question asked by this study: should horse-riding , in fact, be seen as an ignored martial art?Through a socio-historian study of the activity, observations in several equestrian centres of traditional horseriding and also natural horseman-ship, interviews with horse riders (n=50) the study focuses on understanding what is to become of a horse rider in the 21st century or even to claim being one of them.The research conducted reports the warriors ascendance in horse-riding from an historical point, and also for some horse riders, the values to restore. “The body learning” backed by observation and interviews with equestrian professionals, understood as a social engagement in their discipline, largely allows the comparison, and if not the integration, of horse-riding in war or martial arts.