Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) provides an evidence-based yet unconventional path to therapy that is effective in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD (or developmental trauma), and other social/emotional issues.
Horses are like a giant biofeedback machine! They help us to become more tuned into ourselves and to others, build confidence, and provide many other therapeutic benefits.
A recent article in Psychology Today discusses a number of ways people benefit from EAP:
Increased trust
Reduced anxiety
Less feeling of depression and isolation
Increased self-esteem, self-acceptance, and social skills
Better impulse control
Increased problem-solving skills
Improved communication skills, including non-verbal
Better understanding of healthy boundaries and the importance of assertiveness
Learn to get outside own negative, self-absorbed thoughts and nurture another creature
Mr. Oakes (29) and Rio (28) are the good ol' boys helping to facilitate our therapeutic Equine experiences.
Oakes is a retired trail horse who once got loose and had an adventure for a few days in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. He's a giant teddy bear and the best kids horse you'll ever see. He's gentle as can be and loves to be loved.
Rio is a retired team roping ranch horse. He's worked his entire life moving cattle and winning big prize money at the jackpot team roping events. He's not sure quite how he feels about retirement as a therapy horse yet, its definitely not the same kind of work he's been used to. He's gradually learning to trust the treat-givers and build his own capacity for self-regulation.