Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
You would think that by now horses have done all they can to help us – by providing transportation, entertainment, sport and even labor at times. However, we believe their most important contribution is the one they provide most naturally. Our equine friends have a profound ability to act as therapists and teach us about who we are and who we can become.
The lessons may vary, but internal qualities in the horse somehow lend themselves to facilitate human growth. All horses share attributes associated with effective teachers, therapists, and spiritual leaders. They relate to us in direct response to how we approach them. If we keep on approaching them in the same way, they keep responding with the same useful information. This is the hallmark of a clever and patient teacher – the ability to stand back and show us what patterns appear in our behavior. Yes, people can do this for us at times, but we do possess certain imperfections. We have hidden motivations, ways of behaving that get in the way of our ability to communicate what we want others to know most.
Horses have a unique comforting presence – a way of accepting people for who they are. In therapy circles, this concept is referred to as “unconditional positive regard” and thought to be crucial to therapeutic success. A person has to feel accepted to work through challenging issues. Horses naturally provide this, and when combined with traditional therapy it’s a winning team.
Equine-Assisted Therapy involves directing clients to interact and complete exercises with horses. EAP is useful with parents and children as horses seem to provide a much needed bridge between them. A lot of troubled kids have never had the experience of feeling loved or competent. Horses prompt these feelings in children of all ages because horses don’t judge or discriminate. And of course there is nothing like the feeling of working successfully with such a powerful creature. When kids as well as parents work something out with a horse, they often feel their power for the very first time!
Individually (as well as group) EAP can:
• Improve self-esteem and self-awareness
• Develop trust in a safe environment
• Provide social skills training
• Encourage sensory stimulation and integration
• Develop choice-making and goal setting skills
• Encourage responsibility
• Develop sequencing and problem solving skills
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