I. Psychological Equine-Assisted Therapy

Equine-assisted psychotherapy typically involves a horse, a therapist and a horse expert (who can be the psychologist). This team will work with individuals or groups to help them discover more about themselves and develop new ways of thinking. The role of the therapy team is to guide the individual or group along the way, encouraging them to reflect on their experiences and what it means to them.

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Why the horse?

They respond in the moment, giving immediate feedback and they are masters of body language and know how you feel even before you do. They challenge you to reflect upon your own behaviour providing excellent opportunities for problem solving and personal growth.

After an initial consultation, a set of exercises will be carried out according to the needs of the person taking part. Equine-assisted therapy can help with many issues and is considered to be especially helpful for those who want to change elements of their behaviour. 

Another reason horses are used is because they have an innate ability to mirror the thoughts and behaviours of others. Because they are prey animals, they can read body language and respond instantly. This means that if you enter the horse’s space with a negative attitude and defensive body language, chances are the horse won't want to interact with you. Alternatively, if you enter with a sense of calm, confidence and openness - you should find the horse responds more positively. Horses can be incredibly human in their personalities - they can be stubborn and seemingly defiant at times. They also like to have fun and often turn exercises into games. Horses can be incredibly caring too, and if you are upset they often respond in a nurturing manner. These personality traits once again make horses a natural companion during the therapeutic process, providing vast opportunity for growth.

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It is those traits that helps you to reflect on your behaviour and challenge the way you approach situations both inside and outside of your therapy session.

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What can Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy help with?

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Anxiety

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Anxiety and anxiety related disorders could also be addressed during equine-assisted therapy. Being in the same space as a large animal can instil feelings of anxiety, but when you overcome these feelings and accomplish tasks with the animal - these feelings can diminish. Equine-assisted therapy is also a very physical therapy, taking people away from their internal worries in a helpful way. Because of this physicality, the therapy is also a great way of bringing people into the present moment - and as anxiety is usually rooted in future worries, this can be valuable.

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Anger

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Those dealing with anger can also benefit from animal-assisted therapies. Horses don't respond well to anger and this forces people to act in a different way to get the desired response. Working with horses can also encourage the person taking part to examine what they think is causing their anger and what techniques help to overcome it.

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Low self-confidence

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Having low self-confidence can affect all areas of your life. Equine-assisted therapy encourages you to confront any fears you may have and boosts confidence with each completed task. Creating a bond with the horse and learning how to interact with it in a positive and confident way can also help you to come out of your shell outside of the therapy space.

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Trauma

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Experiencing any kind of trauma can be difficult to overcome. Equine-assisted therapy uses the gentle nature of the horse to help trauma victims rebuild trust and confidence. Horses are non-judgemental and honest, and for some people who have been through a traumatic experience, these are invaluable qualities.

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II. Equine-Assisted Learning and Skills Development training for children

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Equine-assisted learning is similar to equine-assisted therapy and still involves a therapist and a horse expert. In equine-assisted learning sessions, however, the focus is on learning specific skills. Children are given empowering "tools" in the self management of anxiety and stress.

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The kinds of skills children can learn in these sessions include:

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• problem-solving

• teamwork

• assertiveness

• creative thinking

• confidence

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Some schools use equine-assisted learning to help train and develop their students. Many of the skills they learn in these sessions translate well into the scholar world and, because the environment is so different from what they're used to, it will help them to think more broadly and , being more confident in their everyday life.

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Will equine-assisted therapy will work for me?

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You don't need any previous experience with horses and you do not have to be a die-hard animal lover to benefit from equine-assisted therapy. The best way to get the help you need is to try different therapy methods until you find one that works best for you.

If you think equine-assisted therapy could help you, your best course of action is to seek out a therapist and speak to them further about their practice. You may then be offered a taster session where you can figure out if horse therapy is the right way for you to go.

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What happens in a therapy session?

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The first meeting

On this first occasion, we will discuss your concerns, problems, dilemmas and  define goals. The first consultation takes one hour and there is no horse involved yet. The horses and the facility can be viewed after the consultation. It is important to note, that equine therapy is a process (self-knowledge, skill development, or psychological consultation) that usually requires 12 to 16 consultations to produce stable and lasting results. Consultations are held weekly (once or twice as required) always at the same time.

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There is normally no horse riding involved (sometimes there may be). Various exercises are set up to help you think and act in ways you may not have thought of before. Normally the exercises will require you to interact with the horse; you may be asked to lead the horse over a series of obstacles or to lead it in a certain direction - often without the aid of a lead rope, only by consciously synchronizing your energy with your nonverbal communication. 

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This kind of exercises requires a creative way of thinking and may force you to reconsider the way you act. The horse expert will be on hand to ensure everything is safe, however, you will not be told how to complete your task - it is up to you to explore different methods.

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After you complete the exercises, your therapist will talk to you about your experience. Discussing how the exercise made you feel and why you think you were successful or unsuccessful can lead you to learn more about yourself and your behaviour. Over time you may find that you develop a new way of thinking about situations that can help you to think over your everyday problem solving methods and change the way you faced them. You will also bond with the horse, and this in itself can be incredibly powerful and empowering experience.

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Contraindications: severe allergic predisosition to animal, dust, grasses, eilepsy, psychiatric or mobility disorders, other medical contraindications.

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How to cancel a consultation?

It is always necessary to notify the therapist as soon as possible, usually 24 or 48 hours in advance if you are unable to attend a session, otherwise your fee will be charged. Thank you for your understanding.