Why horses?

Horses are highly intelligent herd and prey animals who make natural therapeutic partners. As prey animals, horses are highly attuned to their environment and respond directly to the nonverbal messages being communicated. Horses are inherently authentic and aware of the emotion and intent of those around them. This strong emotional sense allows the horse to act as a live bio-feedback mirror to the feelings of those around them. This makes them powerful partners in counseling. As herd animals, horses depend on others as well as trusting relationships to survive. This relationship creates powerful parallels with human relationships. Once a trusted bond is established with the horse, a very powerful transformation takes place leading clients towards increased self-awareness, self-regulation, empowerment and more.

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Who will I be working with?

Clients will work with a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and a therapy horse/herd to accomplish counseling goals. The mental health professional’s primary role is to focus on client treatment while the equine specialist’s primary role is to ensure safety and help interpret the horse’s behavior. The client will be matched with the treatment team that most aligns with the client’s area of need.

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What does a session look like?

The first session is an intake session where we review your history, goals for counseling, intake paperwork and your role in treatment. No prior horse experience is necessary. There is no riding during counseling; all session are unmounted. During the next several sessions, you will be introduced to the horses that are available for counseling and encouraged to interact with the horses in a way that both you and the horses feel comfortable. Sessions may be held in the barn, pasture, arena or round pen. Each session evolves at the client’s own pace and is tailored to each individual.

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Based on the goals established, your treatment team will guide your relationship with the horse and develop activities in support of the treatment plan. Sessions may include mindfulness, emotional regulation, herd-based therapy, and body sensation awareness. We allow the horse and the client to guide what the session will look like, while also encouraging clients to slow down and learn to be present with the horses.

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Preparation and Expectation

Sessions are held rain or shine; they are only canceled if Dallas ISD closes for inclement weather. Please dress for the weather in clothes that you do not mind if they get dirty. Closed toe/heel shoes are required; boots are preferred. Three late cancels or no shows may lead to termination of services.

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Is counseling with horses the right fit for me?

Equest focuses on client strengths and the power of the human-horse connection to facilitate the healing process. Through counseling with horses, clients and their families can increase self-awareness and learn how their interactions affect others. Coupling the power of the horse with the power of therapy allows for rapid movement in reaching therapeutic goals.

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Research has shown an array of potential benefits including enhanced:

• Communication skills

• Confidence

• Mindfulness

• Self-awareness

• Social skills

• Trust

• Emotional regulation

• Self-acceptance

• Relationship skills

• Spiritual connection

 

Our priority is the safety of you and our horses. We want to ensure our clients are receiving the level of care they need to be successful. Assisting with your safety, PATH Intl. has determined counseling with horses should not be used for clients who are:

• Actively dangerous to self or others (suicidal, homicidal, aggressive)

• Actively delirious, demented, dissociative, psychotic, severely confused

• Medically unstable (including active/serious eating disorders)

• Actively abusing substances