Equine therapy is a unique type of therapy that can help people improve their mental health. In this article, we’ll explore what equine therapy is and how it can play a valuable role in supporting individuals on their journey toward psychological well-being.
What Exactly Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy is a therapeutic program that involves interacting with horses to promote emotional growth and psychological healing. Many professionals consider it an effective complementary therapy for individuals dealing with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction.
In fact, the benefits of equine therapy extend beyond traditional talk therapy, offering a more dynamic and engaging approach to recovery.
Building Trust, Empathy, and Self-Confidence
Horses have a remarkable ability to sense human emotions. Because they’re inherently skittish and wary of strangers, horses are good at detecting subtle cues and nonverbal signals.
For individuals struggling with trust issues or low self-esteem, a horse’s presence can be incredibly therapeutic. The non-judgmental space provided by horses fosters trust, empathy, and self-confidence. This enables individuals to develop healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Horses are also highly empathetic themselves, often mirroring the emotions of the humans caring for them. At Uinta Academy, for example, equine therapists use this emotional mirroring to help their clients build trust and respect with horses. They do so by demonstrating consistent and respectful interactions.
A horse’s trust is earned just as it is in everyday relationships: through consistency. And horses often attempt to push boundaries with their handlers. This can teach people how to maintain healthy boundaries in their everyday lives.
Developing Coping Skills
Equine therapy also helps people develop and strengthen coping skills. Horses, like humans, can exhibit unpredictable behavior when they’re stressed or anxious. Individuals can observe and learn from the horses’ reactions.
This can help people better understand their own emotional state and learn strategies to manage their emotions. Equine therapy also teaches people how to navigate challenging situations by encouraging them to find constructive solutions.
Equine therapy can also help people overcome past trauma. For example, Equinox Trust has a “Women Trauma Survivors’ Programme.”
“Equinox Trust empowers beneficiaries to gain insight, face their trauma, and work through their difficulties,” says supporter Christopher Roy Garland of Botswana. “Through the awareness and insight gained, these beneficiaries are better able to make life changes that resound on the individual, family, and community level.”
Connecting with Nature
Just being outside in nature with horses can provide immense mental health benefits.
At Gendron Equine Wellness in Alberta, for example, connecting with nature is a core component of the equine therapy program. Owner Martin Gendron helps clients with anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and a number of other mental health challenges — all located in the beautiful wilderness in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Equine therapy encourages individuals to embrace the fresh air, sunshine, and beauty of the outdoors, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and promoting overall well-being.
Fun and Engaging Treatment
Unlike sitting in a counseling room, equine therapy involves engaging with horses through activities such as grooming, feeding, and riding.
The physical activity and natural surroundings inherent in equine therapy can make it more appealing to individuals who may be hesitant or resistant to traditional forms of therapy. By incorporating fun and interactive elements, equine therapy creates an environment where individuals can actively participate in their own recovery.
The fun nature of equine-assisted therapy makes it an excellent tool for introducing younger adults or children to therapy as well. At Beaming Health, for example, equine therapy is used to help children with autism. And after therapy sessions are over, children can learn to ride and care for the horses, too.
Additional Benefits of Equine Therapy
Dozens of scientific studies have shown that equine therapy is not only an enjoyable form of psychotherapy but an evidence-based practice. Equine-assisted therapy has been used to remarkable effect in treating at-risk youth, children with autism, and even veterans with PTSD or injury.
But perhaps the greatest benefit of equine therapy is that it gets people out of the therapy chair and into action. Working with horses requires people to:
- Be attentive
- Listen to the advice of their therapist
- Become actively engaged in the treatment process
For many, this unconventional structure of psychotherapy can serve as a gateway to a lifetime of healing and recovery, helping them begin to see the benefits of therapy in their everyday lives.
