EQUINE THERAPY

What is Equine Therapy?

Equine Therapists, using horses and shared activities such as grooming, provide a safe space where people can explore their mental, emotional, or physical health at their own pace, under the guidance of a professional. The goal is to keep it from feeling like a typical in-office therapy session.

Horses are amazing animals when it comes to therapy. Horses are prey animals by nature so they are continually aware of their surroundings and the emotions of other animals and people around them. A horse will read how a person is feeling and mirror that back to the person. One session with a horse can equal up to four sessions in an therapist's office.

Equine Therapy may benefit:

Veterans and others with PTSD
At-risk youth
Older adults
Mental health issues
Emotional health issues
Physical health issues
Coordination and balance

Equine Therapy with horses at Freedom Saddles in Perry, Kansas

FOR VETERANS:
Research has found that veterans experiencing trauma, stress, and anxiety showed fewer physical signs of stress when participating in an equine therapy program.
FOR OLDER ADULTS:
According to researchers who studied the perceived benefits of equine-assisted psychotherapy in older adults with cognitive or functional impairment, most who tried equine therapy reported gains extending beyond their interactions with horses. These included increased human social interactions and positive influences from peers.
FOR AT-RISK YOUTH:
In a 2011 study, seven young people considered “at risk” of harming themselves or others were introduced to equine therapy. They reported positive effects on their resilience and reduced risks of crime, self-harm, and other issues. They reported benefits to their levels of empathy, confidence, self-esteem, mastery, and self-efficacy.
FOR MENTAL HEALTH:
Equine therapy may also be useful for some autistic people. A 2018 research review reports beneficial effects on behavior and social communication skills.
FOR EMOTIONAL HEALTH:
For people who find it difficult to open up to others, working with horses may provide a more relaxed environment to facilitate trust and build a therapeutic relationship.
FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH:
There are numerous physical benefits to horseback riding, including increased cardiovascular and core strength, reduced blood pressure levels, and reduced stress.
FOR IMPROVED BALANCE AND COORDINATION:
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence to support horseback riding as a therapy for people with cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders. It may help people strengthen their balance and overall coordination, but the research isn’t conclusive.