An Introduction to Equine Therapy

 Equine Therapy is suitable when the client has an interest in animals and enjoys the space and freedom of being outdoors. Horses are able to offer another supportive presence with many of the skills the therapist uses, such as total acceptance, positive regard, no expectations, understanding and calmness.

How Does This Work?

‘ Equine Assisted Therapy is not a ‘talking therapy’. Rather it focuses on the limbic area of your brain, the part dedicated to emotion and empathy. As humans we engage this area when we feel empathy or emotional resonance with each other. For example when we ‘feel’ a friend’s pain. In fact we are also able to experience the same emotional resonance when we work with horses. However because horses have a smaller “thinking” or neo-cortex part of the brain than humans and are more in tune with their emotional brain, we are able to use this emotional resonance to access, reflect and process our own emotions. This helps us recover self-awareness and insight into our own emotional expressions, such as anger, fear, sadness, grief or joy. 

It is often difficult to access these emotional problems, or explain them verbally. But once we lose the ability to express our ‘true self’ or to connect to our real emotional state, life can feel rigid or stuck. Whilst, blocked emotions will often present themselves as anxiety, depression, lack of energy or panic attacks. However, by ‘experiencing’ the emotions through a physical connection with the horse we can reconnect with the causes, process these problems and find new creative solutions to them.’

-       Equinox Therapy

Many clients initially find it easier to form a closer connection to the horse than with their therapist, as they offer a different sense of safety. Our ponies are well trained, experienced, cute and love interacting with and enjoying the attention and affection of the clients, as well as their brushing, hugs, and the occasional treat.

Equine therapy is all about how they make you feel and our program is dynamic, playful, client-centred, and focuses on a positive experience for both child and pony.

There is a lot of skill-building, confidence enhancing, relationship skills, empathy, self-regulation, enjoyment, decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, empowerment, hair, dirt and laughs.

The effects of being with a horse can last for hours after the session and it helps the parent see their child relaxed, having fun, and motivated to attend the next session.

Equine therapy is something that needs to be witnessed or tried to understand it, as it is an experience that is very difficult to put into words. It is mostly somatic (experienced by the body) and helps to get the client out of their thoughts, beliefs, judgments and labels.

It is about being in the present moment with these amazing animals that communicate without words, and yet can express a lifetime of wisdom and a heart full of compassion.