What Is Equine Therapy?

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Other Names for Equine Therapy

With mature horses weighing anywhere from nine hundred to two thousand pounds or more, it might feel a bit intimidating to have such a large, majestic creature participating in your therapy sessions.

Nonetheless, equine horse therapy is growing due to its experiential approach and some burgeoning evidence of its effectiveness. There are a variety of terms used to describe or reference equine therapy, including:¹

• Equine-assisted counseling
• Therapeutic equine therapy
• Equine-assisted psychotherapy
• Equine therapy for mental health
• Equine horse therapy
• Healing horse therapy
• Equine-assisted therapy

Understanding Animal-Assisted Therapy

Equine-assisted psychotherapy is different from animal-assisted psychotherapy because of the type of animal incorporated. Animal-assisted therapy utilizes predatory animals, such as dogs and cats, while EPA integrates horses, which are prey animals. Prey animals have an acute and heightened sense of perception and awareness of what is happening around them.

Equines do not know how to conceal because awareness and reflection keep them safe. People have learned to “conceal” their true feelings, authentic selves, and intent in today’s day and age. Through this acute awareness, perception, and reflection, the horse can mirror and reveal what feelings are truly being experienced, removing all masks.

What Does EAP Incorporate?

Horses are mighty messengers in an equine therapy session, providing a sense of safety and unconditional acceptance. Because horses can reflect a person’s behavior, clients can see their progress. The client, therefore, does not only hear about their changed behavior but also experiences change firsthand.

It is important to note that using horses for therapy requires the presence of a horse trainer and expert.

EAP incorporates:

• Equine therapy for mental health issues
• Horse therapy for anxiety
• Equine therapy depression

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. This type of therapy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.³

Hippotherapy differs from therapeutic equine therapy in that equine therapy addresses mental health issues, such as depression, and hippotherapy is for physical therapy.

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic riding, also known as equine therapeutic riding, is a recreational equine therapy that involves an individual with little to no riding experience working with a trained riding instructor. The instructor teaches the student basic horseback riding and training techniques that improve cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being.

One of the significant benefits of equine therapy is the joy and sense of connection the person receives when riding the horse instead of only interacting with the horse in other forms of therapeutic equine therapy.

As a rapidly growing form of therapy for individuals of all ages, physical conditions, and abilities, horseback riding therapy has been proven highly beneficial.⁵

Improves Balance

Horseback riding requires immense amounts of balance. Especially for a beginner rider, this can be pretty exhausting; however, horseback riding therapy can help improve participants’ balance over time.

Improves Coordination

Participating in therapeutic horseback riding allows the rider to work on motor planning and reflexes, including eye-hand coordination.

Strengthens Muscles

Riding is a great way to develop and strengthen muscles throughout the body. Because horseback riding is a fun activity, it can be a great way to introduce exercise to an otherwise hesitant individual.

Improves Blood Circulation

For sedentary individuals, horseback riding therapy provides an excellent opportunity for blood circulation and cardiovascular exercise.

Increases Range of Motion

Therapeutic horseback riding involves stretching both on and off the horse. It provides an increased range of motion and relaxation to muscles and tendons throughout the body.

Mental Health Benefits

Horseback riding therapy has been shown to improve one’s mental health by increasing self-confidence, patience, and providing a sense of well-being.

Emotional Health Benefits

Therapeutic riding provides companionship and is an enjoyable activity, helping improve one’s emotional health.

What Conditions Are Treated with Equine Therapy?

By covering the advantages of therapeutic riding and the physical aspects of hippotherapy, it is clear that the benefits of equine therapy are plentiful and diverse.

We at Great Oaks understand that everyone is unique and requires their own personalized treatment program. This is why we offer various types of therapy that treat different conditions to ensure our clients’ needs are met with care, focus, and support.

Equine therapy for mental health deals primarily with psychological therapy and, as such, is associated with treating the following conditions.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress

Equine horse therapy is used for treating common disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Therapists will usually use EAP as one part of a multi-treatment plan, depending on the specific conditions and severity of the client’s symptoms.

Horse Therapy for Anxiety
Studies have shown that simply spending time with horses reduces anxiety. In addition, when you include horse riding and other trust-based exercises, these can significantly improve anxiety symptoms.

Horse Therapy for Depression and Stress
Horses are majestic. Thus, being in their presence, riding them, and interacting with them is a joyful experience, which significantly assists with depression and reduces stress.

Trauma

Healing from trauma is a process that can be daunting, especially when there is a lack of trauma-specific treatment options available in a particular area.

Survivors who have exhausted traditional talk therapy modalities and ​do not have access to specialized trauma therapies often seek alternative methods like equine-assisted programs to continue their journey of recovery or supplement existing trauma treatment.⁶

Eating Disorders

Equine therapy is also beneficial when recovering from eating disorders, as it allows for unconditional acceptance. Clients in treatment for an eating disorder who are exposed to equine therapy may have the increased potential to process difficult emotions or memories through this healing outlet.

A horse can also serve as an influential impression on an individual who has dealt with negative body image and low self-esteem, as care and nurture are often empowering experiences.⁷

Behavior Disorders

Equine horse therapy has been shown to dramatically assist in the treatment of the following behavioral disorders:

• Inattention
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
• Defiant behavior
• Drug use
• Criminal activity

Traumatic Brain Injury

Equine therapy can assist in treating damage to neural pathways and trauma associated with traumatic brain injuries.

It also plays a role in the physical rehabilitation needed after impairment caused by the injury. Range of movement, muscle stimulation, and many other impaired processes are improved through equine therapeutic techniques.

How Equine Therapy Can Benefit You

There is a wide range of benefits related to equine therapy, but some of the most common include:

• Increased Trust: One of the significant benefits of horse therapy is the trust relationship between the horse and the individual. Those who have experienced trauma in their lives may develop severe trust issues, so the deep bond of trust formed with the horse is highly therapeutic.
• Reduced Anxiety: Anxiety is a disorder on its own and is also prevalent in many other psychological conditions. Horse riding and the interaction between people and horses help reduce these feelings of anxiety.
• Reduced Feelings of Depression and Isolation: Depression, loneliness, and feelings of isolation are common symptoms of mental disorders. Equine therapy helps lighten the mood and establish trust connections.
• Increased Self-Esteem: Interaction with horses, especially riding them and gaining their trust, gives people a renewed sense of self-esteem, aiding in the healing process.

Important Considerations Related to Equine Therapy

While beneficial for a wide range of symptoms, there are some essential factors to consider before grabbing the reins!

Is There a Minimum and Maximum Age?

It largely depends on the facility and the therapist; nonetheless, there is no mandated minimum or maximum age. People of all ages can experience the many benefits equine therapy has to offer because there are different types of treatments that cater to all needs.

What About the Fear Factor?

If an individual has an innate fear or severe phobia of horses, this is something they should mention to their therapist to potentially avoid equine therapy. On the other hand, if someone has a slight fear, perhaps deciding to interact with horses can turn into a long-lasting and beneficial form of therapy. Nevertheless, people should always check with a medical professional first.

Is Equine Therapy Covered by Insurance, and How Much Does It Cost?

This type of therapy is often covered by medical insurance. Although equine therapy is a well-researched therapeutic method, coverage depends on the state the person is located, the facility they are seeking treatment from, and the type of medical insurance they have. Thus, individuals should check with their insurance company and facility to ensure coverage.

Costs vary depending on several factors, including the region, type of facility, and treatment. It is important for people to find out all the costs beforehand to ensure they can proceed with this type of therapy.