What is Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine Assisted Therapy, sometimes called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, is an innovative therapeutic process that uses horses as a tool for emotional growth and learning. The therapeutic team includes a licensed therapist and a horse professional working with the horses and the clients. Because of the intensity and effectively, it is generally considered short term therapy. It is experiential in nature, requiring the participants to interact with horses and/ or others as they learn about themselves. It’s not about learning to ride a horse. It’s about learning how to live. Activities are planned so that the client is required to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for the results.
The techniques of Equine Assisted Therapy help the at-risk youth and their family address issues such as:
- Conflict Resolution
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Choices and Consequences
- Teamwork
- Living in the Community
- Learning to Think “Outside the Box”
WHY HORSES?
Horses are large, powerful creatures loaded with personality and attitude. They naturally create an opportunity to overcome fear and develop confidence. Like humans, horses are social creatures with defined roles within their herds. They prefer their peers and can be fun, compliant, stubborn or defiant. Most importantly, horses have the ability to mirror exactly what human body language is telling them. Clients learn that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently. Horses don’t lie, which makes them especially powerful messengers.
Equine Assisted Therapy provides many opportunities for metaphorical learning. This technique makes issues seem larger than life and can be very effective, even with the most difficult clients.
Mustard Seed Society offers, ROC (Rescue Our Children), an 8-week experiential equine assisted therapy program that incorporates parental involvement. It has made a huge difference in the lives of many at-risk youth by teaching them to make better choices and that there is a better way to live.
