I am pleased to be speaking on a subject that may be a new concept for some of you, and maybe be very familiar to some others - the concept of Equine-Assisted Therapy, or EAT. Equine-Assisted Therapy is also known as Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine-Assisted Counseling, and Equine-Facilitated Therapy or Counseling. All of the above use a horse or horses, as an integral component to therapy.Some of you may have heard of Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) which is not therapy. Equine-Assisted Learning is conducted on a surface level and utilizes the equine activities to teach skills to individuals and groups of a more social nature.Equine-Assisted Therapy is not riding therapy, which is also known as hippotherapy.
Think horses,
Think horses,
Think Equine-Assisted Therapy.
What is Equine-assisted therapy, the benefits of equine-assisted therapy, how to get involved with EAT, EAP, EFT, EFC.
Equine-Assisted Therapy is therapy, it requires a licensed mental health practitioner, and it can be hard work. Therapy can cause you to look at things that might make you uncomfortable but having a horse as a companion in your session might make it a little less intimidating and maybe, a little more fun for you.
Equine-Assisted Therapy is a form of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). AAT incorporates the human-animal bond in goal-directed interventions / activities as an important part of the treatment and therapy process. The animals operate as an extension of the therapist and offer opportunities of learning through observation, imitation, instruction, and association.
What do I mean by goal-directed? I mean tasks. Tasks such as catching and haltering a horse, or getting the horse to do something such as go over a jump without touching of any kind. I’ve seen some one be able to catch a horse in under thirty seconds. I have also seen someone take more than one session before they were able to approach and halter a horse. Please remember, it isn’t always about completing the activity, it’s the information observed and learned by participating in the process.
Equine-Assisted Therapy is known as an experience-based therapy. Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and Sand Therapy would be other examples of experience-based therapies.
It is considered an experience-based therapy because Equine-Assisted Therapy focuses on several things about the experience.
What do you think this little boy is thinking about? Where are his eyes focused? Right. He’s focused on the pony and the bucket, not some where else. I bet he’s focused on holding that bucket still so his best friend can eat all of his dinner.(click) This is called “Being in the moment.” Equine-Assisted Therapy has a wonderful way of helping individuals learn to “be in the moment”.
Equine-Assisted Therapy also focuses on the experience for you and how that experience can help you with greater understanding of how you evaluate and react to people and events in your life.The experience helps you key into potential areas of imbalance and unmet needs that might be causing you emotional discomfort.
Equine-Assisted Therapy focuses on relationships. The relationship between you and the horse, you and the therapist, you and the environment, and how the information can be used to help you confront life situations and evaluate them in a healthy way. You can learn lessons through the metaphors the horse or horses provide, which can lead to insight into your own behavioral patterns.
And, Equine-Assisted Therapy focuses on goals. It focuses on Your goals.
Discovery happens as you participate in the activities. You, the client, find solutions. Creative solutions come from observing the emotional, as well as physical metaphors provided by the horses.
Equine-Assisted Therapy can provide numerous benefits for both client and therapist.
For clients,
The “a-ha” moments can be spectacular; producing multilevel insights for you which can open doors (click)
For the therapist, Equine-Assisted Therapy can have all of the benefits previously mentioned, as well as a few others.
Due to the nature of the activities, it is difficult for your client to maintain their facades. The non-verbal clues from the horses will indicate if your client is attempting to hide behind a mask or is possibly avoiding the real issue. Problems and patterns can surface much faster and therefore, (click
Call 410-409-2787.
Remember, think Equine-Assisted Therapy for your counseling needs.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at stablesolutions@comcast.net. Or call 410-409-2787. Thank you. Jen Bajackson, LGPC.