What is equine assisted therapy?
What is Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine Assisted Therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves interactions between child and horse to address various emotional, psychological and behavioural challenges.
It has the same goals as regular therapies and uses similar methods.
It provides:
- a safe environment for therapy that is out in nature and around horses, making it feel more natural and less formal. It is less intimidating than traditional therapy for children and adolescents.
- it is authentic and natural. Equine Therapy and being out in nature allow for more authenticity from the therapist. Children acknowledge this. It helps them to feel they can be themselves as well.
- it represents ‘aliveness’. Like humans, horses are living. Their behaviours, emotions and characteristics are similar to humans. Their authenticity creates a safe space to connect with clients’ inner thoughts and feelings. Being around horses can remind children of things, bring up sensations and trigger emotions. These can be explored during sessions.
Our goal at The Paddock Practitioner is to gain insight into the client's inner emotional world. Horses help supply that access through their positive effect on the client.
What are the benefits for children?
Children often resist traditional therapy as it can be intimidating. It is too direct and can feel quite threatening. Children tend to have their guard up and feel pressured when they are the centre of attention. Some will feel trapped and shut down. Traditional therapy is often short-lived and is not very effective.
Having a third party (horse) can be less intimidating for children and adolescents. Focusing on a horse can help children reduce their resistance to therapy or talking with a therapist. Horses are our co-facilitators during activities like grooming, walking or talking. The horses encourage children to engage more authentically and willingly in therapeutic processes. The presence of the horse and being out in nature helps children feel more comfortable. It allows them to express themselves more authentically.
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