The Easing Impact of Horses on Mental Well-being and Emotional Peace
I'd love to share a tale about the specific moment in time when I started grappling with my psychological health challenges. It seems so intertwined with my identity - truth be told, I can't recall another version of myself.
During my university years, I was identified with anxiety and OCD. There was a sense of relief in that diagnosis. It was almost liberating. Hearing the psychologist utter those words was like Harry Potter hearing the Sorting Hat place him in Gryffindor House - I finally felt I knew myself. Moreover, this diagnosis gave me valuable information to enhance my psychological state.
The calming power of equines
My treatment journey has taken many paths. But turning to the steadfast presence and soothing power of horses has been the most healing. Have you ever ridden a trotting horse that gradually shifts into cantering and then galloping? There's an comforting rhythm as you race through the wind, almost like flying. It's as if the horse's strength has seeped into my own, allowing me to push aside my intrusive thoughts and achieve tranquility.
Similarly, I've discovered the practice of caring for horses to be therapeutic. The soothing, repetitive task of grooming, the physical and distracting quality of mucking stalls, and the companionship of walking alongside a horse while exercising them - each stride a stride towards trust. There's something simple yet incredibly healing about knowing you're working together. It's the most genuine and honest relationship I've ever experienced. Because of this, horses remain a mental health tool that I regularly return to.
And I'm not the only one. Some research suggests equine-assisted psychotherapy can help with various mental health issues, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, addiction, trauma, depression, and antisocial behavior. In 2019, over 66,000 individuals participated in equine-assisted activities or therapies, according to the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH).
No riding skills required
Stride Ahead, an equine-assisted psychotherapy program in Decatur, Georgia, works with everyone, including veterans, at-risk youth, and recovering addicts.
This nonprofit uses an approach where there's no horseback riding - the therapy takes place exclusively on the ground, allowing clients to observe the horses, walk alongside them, and pet them. This model is known as the Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association or EAGALA.
This method is beneficial because it doesn't require any equine skills, says Chris Lobkowicz, a certified equine specialist at Stride Ahead. “You just come as you are.”
A typical session begins with a touch base meeting where clients discuss their therapy goals. This is followed by time in the paddock with one to two horses, an equine therapist who teaches the client horse safety, a mental health professional ensuring the client's emotional welfare, and another mental health professional.
Sometimes clients apply real-life scenarios to their interactions with the horses. The horses serve as metaphors for characters in their lives. This technique allows the horses to make their own choices and move around the paddock, allowing for shifts in the client's perspective. This self-distancing approach enables the modeling of boundaries and connections observed in human-to-human interactions, according to research from the Indiana University School of Social Work.
Throughout the session, clients can discuss their observations, experiences, and feelings with the therapist and equine specialist. The horses' behaviors and emotions can provide a means for the client to open up about their own. Sessions may also be used for mindfulness, such as watching the horses move around the space, listening to them chew, or focusing on their scents. This can help clients concentrate on the present, quiet their minds, and focus on what they're doing in the moment.
Sessions typically last an hour and are followed by a debrief. This method can also be utilized in group therapy.
The objective is to create a safe space for clients to discover their own answers. “The client has the ability to address and reach their own goals,” says Bobbi Woolwine, a licensed clinical social worker at Stride Ahead, and former depression researcher at Emory University. “We’re here to help guide them on that journey.”
Why horses?
“Horses are intuitive,” explains Woolwine. She states that horses possess exceptional social intelligence, capable of reading our body language and sensing our emotions. “Horses often recognize people from past experiences by their facial expressions.”
The Stride Ahead team explains another reason why horses are ideal for therapy is their ability to live in the present. They depend on being alert to their surroundings since they are prey animals that rely on flight to avoid danger.
When a client enters the paddock, the horses immediately assess the situation and evaluate the client's energy. “Horses are quick to let negative interactions go,” says Lobkowicz.
Their observations and interactions are always honest, says Lobkowicz.
Healing for all
Lobkowicz emphasizes that this treatment is beneficial for anyone. “This is something that can help bring you some ‘aha’ moments, some clarity.”
Stride Ahead doesn't require a doctor's referral, although policies may vary. Like many elective therapies, horse therapy is generally not covered by traditional medical insurance companies. Programs like Stride Ahead offer grants or sliding scale fees to make therapy more affordable.
As beings, we often attach significance to aspects that hold no importance for horses, such as public perception of us. Horses, though, are oblivious to such matters. They are basic, yet not devoid of purpose. They're powerful and resilient, yet fragile. They brush off animosity and insist on trust. Perhaps it's these attributes that give horses the innate ability to expose a hidden part of us, encouraging genuine self-expression, healing, self-acceptance, and improved mental well-being.
You can contribute to organizations that offer equine-assisted therapy by filling out the form below or by clicking here.
Engaging in equine-assisted psychotherapy has significantly contributed to my health and wellness journey. I find solace and healing in the company of horses, whether it's through their soothing presence during therapy sessions or the simple act of grooming them.
Research supports the effectiveness of equine-assisted psychotherapy in addressing various mental health issues. In 2019, over 66,000 individuals participated in equine-related activities or therapies, indicating a growing recognition of horses as valuable mental health tools.
