At Royal Life Centers, we strive to provide our guests with the most comprehensive recovery options possible. We often use holistic and unconventional therapies to improve emotional well-being. One of these methods is equine-assisted therapy (EAT). Healing with horses is a long-standing form of therapy used for treating a variety of issues. If you think animal therapy is a good fit for you, our ranch treatment center offering equine therapy can be a great place to start your recovery. Keep reading to learn more about the healing power of horses.
What Is Equine Therapy and How Does It Help?
Humans and horses have been working together for a long time. Equine therapy is a type of therapy that involves interaction with horses to improve mental and physical health. It takes place under the guidance of a mental health professional and a therapy horse specialist. Using horses as treatment for mental health can be beneficial in several ways, including:
- Building bonds: Caring for horses requires responsibility, patience, and clear communication. All these traits can contribute to improved self-esteem, confidence, and empathy.
- Emotional processing: Horses are sensitive to human emotions and respond accordingly. This can help people learn to identify and regulate their own emotions, including impulse control.
- Non-verbal communication: Since horses don’t rely on words, therapy sessions focus on nonverbal cues. This can help people improve their communication skills and social awareness.
Equine therapy can be helpful for people with a variety of conditions, including:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Addiction
- Eating disorders
- Behavioral problems
- Relationship issues
Equine therapy dates back to ancient times and has only continued to expand in its treatment applications. At Royal Life Centers, we use horse therapy to help our guests overcome a variety of behavioral health issues.
Equine-Assisted Therapy for Mental Health
Our mental health treatment plans involve integrating horses into therapy sessions. A mental health professional and an equine specialist work together in each session. They provide our guests with a holistic and balanced healing experience.
We utilize equine therapy to address a variety of issues, such as:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Substance Use Disorder
- ADHD
- Eating disorders
- Addiction
- PTSD
- Grief
- Relationship issues
- Low self-esteem
Equine-Assisted Therapy for Addiction
Equine-assisted therapy for addiction involves our guests engaging with horses under the supervision of a mental health professional and horse care professional. The primary goal of this therapeutic activity is to establish a bond with the horse during animal-assisted therapy.
By forming this connection, our guests gain valuable insights into themselves and their struggles with addiction. Utilizing equine therapy for addiction offers many advantages. Horses are majestic and impressive animals. Therapeutic riding presents a unique combination of tranquility and bonding during the healing process. This aids our guests in cultivating trust and assuming responsibility for their actions.
Horses possess the ability to perceive and respond to human emotions. This makes them highly attuned to our emotional states. As a result, they offer our guests a secure environment where they can freely express themselves. Engaging in equine-assisted psychotherapy at a horse therapy center can have many benefits for our guests, including:
- Improved self-awareness
- Increased empathy
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved communication skills
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved problem-solving skills
- Relapse prevention
How Does Equine Therapy Work?
Equine therapy is different from traditional horseback riding lessons. The focus is on building a connection with the horse and using that connection to achieve therapeutic goals. EAT works by engaging in certain activities with your designated therapy horse.
These activities include grooming the horse, feeding it, leading it around an arena, or even riding it. The specific activities you will take part in will depend on your goals and abilities. During this time, you will also learn to adjust to your horse’s sensitivity and emotions.
Horses are very attuned to human emotions and can pick up on subtle cues in our body language and voice. This can be a powerful tool in equine-assisted therapy, as the horse’s reactions can provide immediate feedback on your emotional state.
Through working with your horse, you can develop a sense of trust, empathy, and responsibility. This can help you improve your communication skills, self-esteem, and emotional regulation.
Is Horse Therapy Safe?
Horse therapy is safe when done properly. We instill several safety measures to provide our guests with a secure therapy experience. Certified professionals trained in both mental health and horse handling lead our EAT sessions.
Our therapy programs also only use horses with calm and predictable temperaments suited to working with people. Furthermore, we design our activities to suit the participant’s experience and ability level. Each of these precautions helps us establish safety during sessions.
Can I Still Do Equine-Assisted Therapy If I’ve Never Ridden a Horse?
You do not need any prior experience with horses to take part in equine-assisted therapy. EAT focuses on the connection and communication between you and the horse, rather than your riding skills.
Learning about the animals and how to care for them is all part of your therapy journey. Our mental health professionals and horse specialists will be there to guide you every step of the way. Your only concern during these sessions should be allowing yourself to bond with your horse and heal.
Find Equine Therapy Near Me at Royal Life Centers
Royal Life Centers provides a wide range of addiction treatment options and services for drug and alcohol recovery. We aim to deliver the most comprehensive care possible to our clients. Through providing treatment options like equine therapy, talk therapy, and holistic practices, we help our guests achieve mind, body, and spirit healing. We also offer a multitude of evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, family therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, motivational interviewing, expressive arts therapy, and more.
As part of our treatment program, you will have the opportunity to take part in various activities. This, of course, includes our equine therapy program. From the initial detoxification process to the ongoing aftercare, we offer a complete continuum of care. We offer extensive growth and learning for individuals recovering from a variety of behavioral health issues.
If you would like to learn more about our treatment options, please don’t hesitate to contact our equine therapist team today. We are here to address all your questions about recovery.
