equine therapy
- Spending time with animals is beneficial. Pets are good for physical and mental health, thanks to their unconditional love and the stress-reducing effects of being around them. Most people think of dogs and cats as animals that help people. Horses can also be valuable partners in some kinds of therapy.
Equine-assisted therapies are programs where professionals guide clients through activities with horses. There are different kinds of equine programs, and they have different goals for the people involved. Some programs are part of mental health treatment. In other cases, clients ride horses as part of a physical or occupational therapy regimen.
Conditions it’s used for
Equine-based psychotherapy can be used for a variety of mental health conditions in both children and adults, including but not limited to:
ADHD
autism
depression
eating disorders
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
PTSD
social anxiety disorder
substance misuse
Other medical conditions equine-based therapies may help with could include:
cerebral palsy
dementia
Down syndrome
stroke recovery
traumatic brain injury
How Equine Therapy Works
Equine Therapy, also known as Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT). The goal is to help people develop specific attributes and skills they may be lacking, such as accountability, impulse control, problem-solving skills, responsibility, self-confidence, and self-control. It can also provide an innovative outlet for mental health professionals to help patients identify and address an array of behavioral and emotional challenges stemming from addiction, trauma, and mental health. The more active outdoor environment combined with a less verbal therapeutic situation has also been found to be more beneficial for some individuals when compared to a standard therapy room atmosphere.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is generally not a stand-alone treatment but a complementary therapeutic service combined with more traditional treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, so there is still a certain amount of talk therapy included. While studies are limited, there have been indications that Equine Therapy has successfully helped patients with emotional awareness, empathy, interpersonal relationships, improving focus, learning boundaries, reducing aggression, relaxation, self-respect, social skills, stress tolerance, and trust issues. Some people begin seeing the benefits of Equine Therapy in as little as two to three sessions, but your mental health professional will work with you to create the ideal treatment schedule for your specific situation.