At The Guest House, we are dedicated to offering innovative and effective therapies to support trauma recovery. One of our most cherished modalities is equine therapy, a powerful approach that harnesses the unique bond between humans and horses. Equine therapy promotes spiritual healing and emotional resilience. Its profound benefits could be a great fit for your healing journey, leading you down the path to inner peace.
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy (EAT) or equine-facilitated therapy (EFT), involves interactions between people and horses under the guidance of a trained therapist. Unlike traditional talk therapies, equine therapy provides a non-verbal, experiential approach to healing. The presence of horses creates a unique therapeutic environment where you can explore your emotions, behaviors, and relationships in a safe and supportive setting.
Equine Therapy FAQs
Q: Do I need experience with horses or other animals to participate in EAT?
A: Not at all. Part of the beauty of equine therapy is that there are no prerequisites for skills with animals. You simply need an open mind and an open heart. The horses you’ll be working with are gentle, intelligent creatures eager to connect with you on whatever level you’re comfortable with. Some clients might be ready for riding, while others are content simply existing in the same space as their horse friend. The content of your equine therapy sessions depends on your comfort level, your goals, and your needs. You can discuss and plan these specifics with your care team so that your treatment works best for you.
Q: Does being afraid of horses disqualify me from doing EAT?
A: Not necessarily. It’s common for people who have never been up close to a horse to feel a bit nervous at first. It might take time for you to settle in and feel comfortable during EAT sessions. This is actually part of the work you’ll be doing: learning to trust yourself and others and to overcome fears. However, safety always comes first, and horses can be sensitive to energy and emotions. If your fear and anxiety put yourself, other clients, or the animals at risk, you may not be ready to take on equine therapy.
Q: Why horses?
A: While interaction with any animal can help with stress levels and have a grounding effect, horses are special in many ways. In the wild, horses are herd animals, which means that they rely on being alert and aware of their surroundings and the thoughts and behaviors of their herd. After being domesticated, horses were used for riding and pulling carts, both of which require careful attention from their human guide.
Because of this history, horses are extremely sensitive to the emotions and energies of those around them, both human and animal. As herd animals, they also develop deep bonds with those who take the time to understand them. In many ways, interacting with a horse is like interacting with a reflection of yourself; your emotions, your energy, and your intentions are mirrored back to you. Recognizing your true self is often the first step to achieving inner peace.
How Can Equine Therapy Help You Find Inner Peace?
Building Trust and Safety: For many trauma survivors, trusting others can be a significant challenge. The non-threatening presence of a horse can help clients begin to rebuild trust in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Horses require clear communication and consistency, which can encourage clients to develop trust gradually. This newfound trust with the horse can then extend to the therapist and other individuals in the client’s life.
Enhancing Emotional Regulation: Trauma often disrupts an individual’s ability to regulate their emotions. Horses, with their calm and grounded presence, can help clients learn to manage their emotional responses. For example, a client’s anxious energy can make a horse skittish, providing immediate feedback that encourages the client to practice calming techniques. Over time, these experiences can enhance the client’s ability to regulate their emotions in various situations. Emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience are crucial skills for developing inner peace.
Practicing Self-Awareness and Insight: Interactions with horses can act as a mirror, reflecting the client’s emotional state and behaviors. This mirroring effect can increase self-awareness and insight into how one’s emotions and actions affect others. For instance, if a client approaches a horse with aggression or fear, the horse’s reaction can prompt the client to examine the underlying causes of these feelings and explore healthier ways of expressing themselves.
Promoting Mindfulness and Presence: Horses live in the present moment and respond to immediate stimuli. Engaging with horses encourages clients to practice mindfulness, focusing on the here and now. This presence can be particularly beneficial for trauma survivors who may struggle with intrusive memories of the past and anxiety about the future. Mindfulness practices learned through equine therapy can become valuable tools for managing trauma-related symptoms and establishing inner peace.
Encouraging Non-Verbal Communication: For some trauma survivors, verbalizing their experiences can be incredibly difficult. Equine therapy offers an alternative form of expression through non-verbal communication. Clients can build a rapport with the horse through gestures, touch, and body language, bypassing the need for words. This non-verbal interaction can be a stepping stone to verbal communication and deeper therapeutic work.
These skills can be taken from therapy and applied to your day-to-day life. If you continue to practice them, you’ll find that inner peace is a natural state that simply needs to be maintained.
Benefits and Applications
Horses are highly intuitive animals with a remarkable ability to sense and respond to human emotions. Their keen sensitivity to non-verbal cues and body language makes them exceptional partners in therapy. Horses do not judge; they respond to the present moment, providing immediate and honest feedback to the individual’s emotional state.
This profound connection between humans and horses forms the foundation of equine therapy. The interactions with horses can reveal hidden emotions, promote self-awareness, and encourage clients to confront and process their traumatic experiences.
These are things that people with trauma-related mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often struggle with. Living with unprocessed trauma can cause you to close yourself off from your thoughts and emotions, as well as other people. This can be an extremely isolating experience. You may feel the need to hide from anything that reminds you of what you went through. However, by doing so, you give the trauma complete power over your life and your future. Learning to live in the moment, reconnect with yourself, and address upsetting memories is the best way to take back control.
These are lessons that veterans with PTSD in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are learning through EAT at their local Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The equine therapy program has become popular with veterans who struggle with trauma-related mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Briana Johnson, the VA social worker who oversees the group, says that the program has been wildly successful.
“Veterans are sometimes resistant to groups… but with the horses here, they’re more willing to try,” Johnson said. “They will say things like, ‘I have increased my confidence in the way I communicate,’ or, ‘I’ve learned to set boundaries. That’s where we notice that these things are beneficial.”
Many of the veterans she works with agree. US Army Veteran Andrew Gitzlaff, who struggles with depression and social connections, said about the program, “It’s been good. I feel like I get something out of each session. I’m more willing to let myself be open with other people… and being around people who potentially have the same problems I do makes me feel like I’m not the only one.”
Gitzlaff also mentioned how connecting with his therapy partner, Bracken, a Dales pony gelding, has helped him understand the role of trust in relationships. “It feels good to have a connection with an animal this big,” Gitzlaff said as he stood with Bracken. “That takes trust.”
Programs like the Milwaukee VA’s and ours at The Guest House show that a connection with horses can help heal trauma. The efficacy of this approach is based on extensive research into the effects and treatment of trauma-related disorders.
Is Equine Therapy Right for Me?
When starting a treatment process or adding to your current care plan, it’s always important to consider whether a certain approach is a good fit for you. Everyone is unique, and everyone heals in different ways. Equine therapy may be a beneficial modality for you, or you may benefit more from traditional talk therapy.
Individuals who have experienced trauma often find equine therapy beneficial due to the non-verbal, experiential nature of the therapy. If you struggle with verbalizing memories and emotions due to trauma or developmental disorders, EAT can be a helpful alternative. The intuitive and responsive nature of horses helps trauma survivors build trust, develop emotional regulation, and gain insights into their emotional states. Horses don’t require you to speak. In fact, they can often sense your energy and emotions more keenly than even you can.
EAT may be a promising avenue for children, adolescents, and young adults with mental health issues. Young people who struggle with mental health sometimes have trouble connecting with their peers and establishing support systems. Equine therapy often involves both individual and group sessions, providing ample opportunities for young people to develop and refine their social skills. Group sessions, in particular, encourage teamwork, cooperation, and communication. Adolescents learn to work together to complete tasks, share responsibilities, and support each other, fostering a sense of community and belonging. These social interactions are critical for young people who may struggle with social anxiety, peer relationships, or social isolation.
People with severe animal phobias or animal allergies may not benefit from equine therapy, as these conditions can interfere with the treatment process. Additionally, certain physical disabilities may limit participation in activities like riding or leading. However, our staff at The Guest House is dedicated to accommodating our clients as much as possible. Additionally, individuals who find that talking in depth about their issues may benefit more from traditional talk therapy.
Finding Inner Peace With the Guest House Approach to Eat
At The Guest House, we are committed to providing a holistic and individualized approach to trauma recovery. Our equine therapy program is designed to meet the unique needs of each client, incorporating their personal goals and therapeutic preferences. Some of the key elements of our approach include our amazing team of trauma professionals, our nurturing treatment environment, and a thorough assessment phase.
Each client undergoes a comprehensive assessment to determine their suitability for equine therapy. This assessment considers the client’s trauma history, current emotional state, and overall treatment goals. Our team of experienced therapists collaborates to create a personalized treatment plan that integrates equine therapy with other therapeutic modalities. These therapists are skilled and compassionate guides who are trained in both trauma recovery and equine-assisted therapy. They work closely with clients to ensure a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. Therapists’ expertise and dedication are crucial in facilitating meaningful and transformative interactions between clients and horses.
The Guest House also provides a serene and nurturing environment where clients can engage with horses in a setting that promotes inner peace. Our equine facility is designed for the safety and comfort of both clients and horses. The tranquil surroundings enhance the therapeutic experience, allowing clients to connect with nature and focus on their healing journey.
We offer both individual and group equine therapy sessions to accommodate different therapeutic needs and preferences. Individual sessions allow for personalized attention and deep exploration of personal issues, while group sessions provide opportunities for clients to build social connections and practice interpersonal skills.
Inner Peace and Your Connection With Animals
Companionship with animals offers a profound connection to nature that can bring inner peace and emotional well-being. Animals, whether domestic pets or wildlife, embody a pure, instinctual essence that can ground us in the natural world. This bond reminds us of our intrinsic connection to the environment, fostering a sense of harmony and tranquility.
When we engage with animals, we are drawn into the present moment. Their non-verbal communication and genuine responses to our presence encourage mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness is known to reduce stress and promote emotional stability. Dr. Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, says, “The foundations of mindfulness include attention, intention, compassion, and awareness. All of those things are things that animals bring to the table. People kind of have to learn it. Animals do this innately.” This focus on the here and now helps to quiet the mind, allowing us to experience a state of calm and centeredness.
Animals also teach us about trust and unconditional love. Their loyalty and companionship provide emotional support, especially during challenging times. This relationship nurtures our sense of belonging and reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation. The simple act of petting a dog or watching a bird can evoke feelings of joy and contentment, releasing oxytocin—the “love hormone”—which enhances our mood and fosters a sense of inner peace.
Furthermore, animals connect us to the rhythms of nature. Observing their behaviors and life cycles reminds us of the simplicity and beauty of the natural world. This connection can inspire a deeper appreciation for the environment and a desire to protect it. Spending time in nature with animal companions, such as walking a dog in the park or riding a horse through a forest, amplifies this experience, allowing us to soak in the natural beauty and serenity that surrounds us.
In essence, the companionship of animals enriches our lives by connecting us to the natural world and fostering inner peace. Their presence serves as a gentle reminder of the simplicity, beauty, and tranquility that nature offers, guiding us toward a more balanced and harmonious existence.
Living with the effects of traumatic experiences can be isolating, and it often leads to other issues such as substance misuse. At the same time, the idea of addressing these issues with a therapist may bring on feelings of shame. If you find yourself in this situation, know that there are other options available. Equine therapy is a great tool for those who want to heal from trauma in a non-judgmental space. Our team at The Guest House would love to help you get started on your healing journey. Our equine therapy program is a place to find mental rest and inner peace. Call us at (855) 483-7800 to learn more.