Equine Therapy

This article provides an overview of equine therapy, including the specific types, benefits, conditions it helps treat, and how to find equine therapy near you.

Key Takeaways:

• Equine therapy involves therapeutic interactions with horses to promote greater mental and/or physical well-being, as well as improved quality of life.

• It is often combined with other forms of therapy, such as psychotherapy and physical therapy, depending on the specific concerns and goals of the individual. Sessions are led by equine specialists/horse handlers and any relevant therapists or health professionals.

• Equine therapy needs to be more well-researched, but the overall benefits are promising. You can find qualified equine therapists through several organizations, such as PATH International and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

What is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, is a specific therapeutic modality involving the use of horses. Specifically, equine therapy is centered around the interaction between humans and horses to help promote improvements in physical and/or psychological well-being. ^{[1] [2]}

In equine therapy, individuals engage in various activities, such as grooming, riding, or leading the horses, all of which is under the guidance of a trained therapist or facilitator.

How Does Equine Therapy Work?

Horses are unique in that they are very attuned to humans’ emotions. Thus, interaction with horses allows for individuals to see how their own mental and emotional states affect the horses’ reactions. This can lead to greater self-awareness, improved communication, emotional processing, and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, people can develop a deep connection when interacting with horses, which offers a safe space to explore one’s thoughts, feelings, and general concerns. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

In addition, horses provide a sense of calmness and relaxation. Interacting with horses also leads to an increase in various physical and psychological effects that promote greater overall well-being, such as reduced stress, improved self-confidence, and a sense of awe. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Conditions Equine Therapy Can Help With

Equine therapy can help with a variety of mental and physical health conditions. Specific mental health conditions and symptoms equine therapy can benefit are: ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• General trauma

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Addictions

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

• Eating disorders

• Relationship difficulties

• Grief and loss

• Behavioral issues (esp. in adolescents)

The wide-reaching benefits for mental health conditions are due to many factors. For example, equine therapy promotes mindfulness, improved mood and stress reduction, which can benefit individuals with anxiety, depression, and general poor mood. In addition, equine therapy promotes emotional regulation and a safe space to process emotions, which can be useful for PTSD, trauma, grief and loss. These are just a few of the many involved benefits.

Equine therapy may also have benefits for certain physical and neurological conditions, including: ^{[1] [4]}

• Scoliosis

• Stroke

• Cerebral palsy

• Hypermobility syndrome

• Balance issues

• Spinal cord injuries

• Multiple sclerosis

• Spina bifida

• Friedrich’s ataxia

• Fibromyalgia

Types of Equine Therapy

There are several types of equine therapy, each of which can be used to address specific concerns. The main types of equine therapy are:

• Therapeutic riding.

• Hippotherapy.

• Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP).

• Equine-assisted learning.

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic riding involves structured horseback riding sessions to improve physical and/or mental health. It is typically focused on the horse’s movement, and engages and stimulates specific muscle groups. Therapeutic riding can help with motor skills, balance, coordination, sensory integration, muscle rehabilitation, self-esteem, emotional control, and other areas, making it a very diverse tool.

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy focuses specifically on using the horse’s movements to stimulate the muscles and nervous system, particularly to treat neurological and physical disabilities. This form of therapy typically involves an occupational, speech and language, or physical therapist alongside the riding instructor.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is designed to use horses to promote improved mental and emotional well-being. It usually involves a partnership between a licensed mental health professional and an equine specialist, and is combined with specific forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). ^{[2] [4]}

Equine-Assisted Learning

Equine-assisted learning uses specific interactions with horses to help individuals learn specific skills. This includes social skills, communication skills, relationship skills, leadership skills, and creativity, among others.

What to Expect During a Session

The exact session features can vary considerably depending on the type of equine therapy utilized. Sessions are run by a therapist and an equine specialist/horse handler.

Upon arriving, the first step is to get acquainted with the horse and ease any tension you may have. Typically, this is done by grooming.

From there, equine therapy often involves several other activities, such as feeding the horse, leading it around the enclosure, and cleaning its hooves. In some cases, you may also create an obstacle course and help the horse navigate it. Riding is typically not a part of most psychotherapy-based sessions, but is used for many other goals, such as those found in hippotherapy and therapeutic riding. ^{[4] [6]}

At certain intervals, the equine specialist and therapist/health professional will check in to ask about your interactions, reactions, and overall experience, and how it relates to your current concerns and goals. ^[6]

Where to Find Equine Therapy

Many online organizations allow you to search for equine therapists near you. This includes:

• PATH International

• EAGALA

• Natural Lifemanship

• Operation We are Here (for veterans)

You can also ask your therapist, doctor, or other healthcare professional if they are aware of equine therapists in your area.

You can also conduct a general internet search on your own, with specific details on what you’re looking for. Of course, it becomes important to narrow your results down to qualified therapists.

What to Look for When Booking a Session

If you’re interested in equine therapy, it’s important to find equine therapists who have significant experience in treating your specific concerns or challenges. In addition, look for equine therapists certified by reputable organizations, such as EAGALA or PATH, and ensure that the centers have well-trained, experienced therapy horses. ^[5]

Summary

Equine therapy is a unique form of therapy that uses the healing power of horses to promote mental and physical well-being. Though at present, equine therapy has a relatively limited availability, and it also needs to be further researched to fully solidify its place within treatment plans.

The best results seem to come when it is combined with other forms of traditional therapy and treatments. This does not take anything away from the effectiveness of equine therapy, as it has been shown to benefit many individuals and will continue to do so.