Equine Therapy, or Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a type of therapy that uses interactions with horses under the guidance of a trained therapist to address various emotional, mental and behavioral challenges. It combines the expertise of a licensed therapist and a horse professional, working with a client and a horse, to reach treatment goals.
Equine therapy can be healing with horses and is growing in popularity because of its experiential approach of which people like, and its continued effectiveness in mental health treatment. Since clients actively interact with horses, this real-world environment creates a more immediate, tangible experience.
Why therapy with horses works.
Horses are highly attuned to the emotions and behaviors of humans. Though they are sensitive to human emotions, they have a non-judgmental nature. Another great thing about horses is that they have an ability to mirror human feelings. This gives the human great feedback for emotions that have been pushed down, or ignored. Because of the large size of these animals, engaging with them helps the client face fears and build confidence.
Clients become bonded to the animal which strengthens empathy and trust. For clients struggling with moodiness, impulse control or hyperactivity, equine therapy can especially be an excellent method of teaching because the horse is a mirror and will respond instantly and without words. This helps to bring awareness to the client, whereas talk therapy might not. Horses give real, and real time feedback.
Horses respond primarily to non-verbal cues, requiring clients to focus on their own body language, emotional regulation and presence. Clients will gain awareness of how their non-verbal communication affects others, making equine therapy a powerful tool for understanding social interactions and possible reasons why their relationships are not working.
Equine Therapy benefits the clients mentally, physically and emotionally.
- Working with horses helps develop trust and improves relationship skills.
- Horses improve self awareness by helping clients become more aware of their emotions and behaviors.
- The presence of these large animals reduce anxiety and depression by their calming effect.
- Non-verbal cues with horses can translate to improved communication in human relationships.
- Learning to interact with horses improves coordination, balance and physical senses.
- Can enhance problem-solving skills, accountability and responsibility.
Therapeutic programs use Equine Therapy to work with multiple conditions.
This therapeutic modality is widely used to treat a range of mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, oppositional defiance, bipolar and trauma. It can also be beneficial for managing behavioral challenges with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Additionally, equine therapy has shown success in supporting individuals recovering from substance abuse, helping them develop healthier coping skills. This therapy is also effective for processing grief, loss, and other traumatic experiences, offering a supportive environment for healing.
Research compiled by Paul B. Tchounwou has shown that in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, working within an equine program helped language, motor and sensory abilities improve. The experiential nature of the connection between horse and client allow for practice and understanding in emotional boundaries, trust-building and the complexities of interpersonal connections.
What does a typical Equine Therapy session look like?
A typical equine therapy session generally involves a series of guided interactions with a horse under the supervision of a trained therapist and an equine specialist. The session usually starts with a brief discussion between the client and the therapist to set intentions for the session. The therapist may ask about the client’s mood and any specific concerns or goals they want to focus on that day.
The therapist may ask the client to observe the horse’s body language and reflect on what they notice about the animal’s mood or behavior. Often, the session begins with a grooming and nurturing the horse by brushing, petting and feeding the horse. This hands-on activity is soothing and helps establish trust between the client and the horse.
Next, the client may be asked to lead the horse around an arena or around simple obstacles. The therapist uses this time to evaluate the client’s behavior and help them manage frustration. The therapist can help the client with reflective tasks like observing how the horse responds to different prompts or to their own emotions. This can lead to discussions about how emotions are mirrored in relationships.
These sessions allow the therapist to guide the client to connect insights back to real-life situations that have probably happened that day or will happen soon. This is experiential, real-time therapy. Each session is usually flexible, fluid and working with the individual needs of the client at the moment.
Concluding a session, the client will have a calming moment with the horse to pet them, thank them and reinforce the relationship.
Is equine therapy a solution to your loved one’s struggles?
Equine therapy offers a unique and powerful way to address a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. By tapping into the natural instincts and sensitivity of horses, it provides a therapeutic experience that goes beyond traditional talk therapy, helping with emotional awareness, trust and personal growth. Equine therapy is research based and has proven to be an effective and efficient treatment option.
At Therapeutic Educational Consulting, we guide, support and recommend placement options for treatment centers, nature-based therapy, therapeutic boarding schools and alternative education for adolescents and young adults. Schedule a no-cost discovery call with Rae Guyer, your therapeutic consultant.
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