Equine Therapy

Horses teach us how to connect and bond in such a way that is transferable to other relationships. Through working with horses, people recognize their patterns of interacting with others. Horses are excellent communicators. Learning to understand horse behavior can help people learn the way their behavior impacts others. Exercises as simple as haltering, leading and grooming teach people how to approach others with respect and awareness of space, energy and boundaries. In equine therapy, people talk about what they see and feel. The therapist guides the person to see the horse’s responses with an objective lens. Thus, they begin to recognize the ways in which their perceptions are accurate or misguided.

Horses are large animals. Their strength and size can bring up unmet needs, fears, past trauma and feelings of inadequacy or lack of control. In a safe environment with a horse as a partner, clients learn to face their physical and metaphorical fears. They build confidence in their ability to overcome challenges. Often people feel intimidated and nervous at first. Later, they discover how quickly they process those feelings and find comfort in their relationship with the horse. Empowered by this experience, people may develop the confidence to address other fears. They  can then transfer these lessons to their day-to-day life.

Horses are soothing, loving and gentle animals. They are straightforward in their interactions without lying or manipulating. They do not judge or blame. When people open themselves up, they grow in their ability to build relationships and to ask for help.