Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy is a warm and connecting experiential therapy that can be powerful for the client. The combination of the use of horses and a peaceful, natural setting provides a healing environment that allows clients to relax and become open to the therapeutic process, which leads to progress and personal growth.

Equine Assisted Therapy is not about horsemanship, riding horses or trail rides. We are bringing horses into our normal therapeutic process in a rural setting. Engagement with the horses may include observing them to see what comes up in you, brushing, feeding, or petting them while we talk, or it may involve experiential interactive exercises. We might even go for a walk to see the goats up the road or sit down at the firepit to process the experience with the horses.

Horses are themselves. They are sensitive and intuitive. Unlike humans, they don’t change who they are to please others. They will let you know what they want and what they need and have no problems setting boundaries. They are wonderful teachers of how to ask for what you need and want, and how to set boundaries. As clients interact with horses, they can connect in an authentic way, without fakeness or insincerity, and are able to learn about themselves and recognize the behaviors and beliefs that are causing pain in their life.
Like humans, horses are social creatures and prefer to be with their barn mates. Horses have defined roles within their herds, which can be a great metaphor for discussing family systems and the roles we humans play in the family system.