When I tell people that I provide Equine Therapy, I am asked is the therapy for the horse or the person? And how do you get a horse on the couch? Equine Facilitate Therapy is for humans and the horses are the therapists. Unlike traditional talk therapy, there are no couches. The office is an arena, and you can sit or stand.
Equine Facilitated Therapy is offered in an arena with horses who will help you learn to regulate your emotions, challenge you to find solutions that work for you and help you heal. Horses do this by being present and not judging you. During sessions you and a horse or horses stand near each other, and they are present and focused on you. You can talk to our horses, and they are focused on you, not judging, not telling you what to do and just being there for you.
People become frustrated with traditional talk therapy as they do not feel that they are improving. That’s because traditional talk therapy will focus on identifying methods to improve your life and is focused on the thinking part of your brain. Your therapist might suggest some activities that will improve your mood and you want to do them but just can’t seem to start the activity.
Equine Facilitated Therapy focuses on your emotional brain and practicing skills with the horses. Most people know what they need to do and can’t seem to find the time, or motivation to do what they need to do. This is because your feeling brain isn’t healed. Equine Facilitated Therapy focuses on healing the feeling brain. Healing the feeling brain happens when you feel safe and validated. Horses can provide a safe validating space for you to heal.
When you’re ready, we’re here
