Healing & Growth Through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy | Horse Assisted Therapy
Why incorporate horses into therapy?
For centuries, people have understood the therapeutic qualities that horses possess for increasing mental health and emotional health. Horses are powerful yet gentle animals, offering a calm and grounding presence. As they are prey animals, horses have an acute sense of what is around them, further to this their highly social nature means that they are very perceptive in reading and responding to subtle changes in behaviour, body language and emotion.
Unlike people, horses do not respond to social status, achievements or the roles we hold. Instead, they respond authentically to what is happening beneath the surface. Their sensitivity to subtle shifts in emotion, energy and behaviour can reveal previously unnoticed patterns and dynamics from our everyday lives.
Equine assisted psychotherapy (also known as equine assisted therapy, horse assisted therapy or equine assisted counselling) provides a unique opportunity for you to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences through both conversation and direct interaction with horses. By combining reflection, observation and experiential learning, equine assisted psychotherapy can support deeper self-understanding, personal growth and emotional healing.
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How do sessions work?
Stable Foundations equine assisted psychotherapy sessions are facilitated by myself and the sessions are tailored to individual needs and goals. I work with two therapy horses, each with their own unique personalities and differing backgrounds, who have been carefully selected for their therapeutic role.
Activities incorporated into sessions include grooming, leading and care-taking of the horses which offers opportunities to explore areas such as communication, boundaries, trust, confidence, and connection. Within equine assisted psychotherapy, the horse is regarded as a therapeutic partner, providing immediate and honest feedback through their responses and interactions. This can help develop self-awareness, emotional insight and relationship skills that can be applied to everyday life. Sessions can also help with increasing assertiveness, problem solving and processing grief, trauma or abuse.
What if I don't want to work with the horses for certain sessions?
You don’t have to have every session with the horses. If you decide against an equine assisted therapy session for whatever reason, an alternative session can be provided whether that be in the therapy room, outdoors in nature or remotely.
What are the benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy may support individuals who are experiencing:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and low mood
- Grief and loss
- Trauma and the effects of past experiences
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Relationship and communication difficulties
- Emotional regulation challenges
- Assertiveness and boundary-setting difficulties
Trauma Recovery and Horses
Sometimes those recovering from trauma cannot find the words for their experiences and, as trauma is often stored within the body, nervous system responses can be felt long after the original experience. Equine assisted trauma therapy offers an alternative approach that does not rely solely on talking. Instead, it focuses on body awareness, emotional connection and present-moment experiences, allowing therapeutic work to take place beyond words. Spending time with therapy horses often increases feelings of empowerment, choice and personal control—all of which are important aspects of trauma recovery.
Because trauma frequently occurs within human relationships, some individuals may find it difficult to explore their experiences through traditional talking therapies alone. Equine assisted psychotherapy offers a unique therapeutic partnership that can reduce some of the challenges associated with person to person interactions. The presence of a therapy horse can create a sense of safety, trust and connection; supporting clients as they process traumatic experiences and move towards healing and recovery.
Equine assisted psychotherapy for Autism, ADHD and other forms of Neurodivergence
Equine assisted psychotherapy can be highly beneficial for individuals with autism or other forms of neurodivergence such as ADHD. By offering a therapeutic environment that is less reliant on verbal communication and social expectations, equine assisted therapy provides an alternative way to explore emotions, build confidence and develop self-awareness.
Many neurodivergent individuals find interactions with horses to be more predictable, authentic and less socially demanding than human interactions. Horses respond to non-verbal communication (such as body language and emotional cues) thus creating opportunities for meaningful connection without the pressures that can sometimes accompany human social situations.
Working alongside horses can also support emotional regulation, sensory awareness, communication skills and self expression. The unique human-horse relationship allows individuals to learn about themselves in a safe, accepting and non-judgmental environment which honours individual differences and strengths.
How does equine assisted therapy help with anxiety?
Equine assisted therapy offers a unique, body-based approach to supporting individuals experiencing anxiety. Rather than focusing solely on thoughts and emotions, equine assisted therapy works with the nervous system, helping clients develop a greater sense of calm, safety and regulation within the body.
Horses have a slower breathing and heart rate than humans and an individual’s nervous system naturally synchronises with a horse when in their presence. This synchronisation can lead to a slowing of the person’s heart rate and breathing inducing feelings of relaxation which then supports nervous system regulation.
As anxiety is experienced not only in the mind but also within the body, equine assisted psychotherapy provides a powerful somatic approach to healing. Working alongside horses can help individuals feel more grounded, present and connected to themselves which creates opportunities to address anxiety at its roots rather than simply managing its symptoms. Indeed the heightened attunement that horses possess can support individuals to become more attuned to their own internal experiences and learn effective ways to regulate anxiety and emotional overwhelm.
Many clients describe the experience of being with horses as deeply calming and regulating. The horse’s steady presence, responsiveness and ability to remain in the present moment can support emotional balance and resilience making equine assisted therapy an effective complement to traditional anxiety treatment and mental health support.
Do I need horse experience?
What else do I need to know?
Equine assisted psychotherapy sessions are available for adults aged 18 and over. Sessions are offered in durations of either 60 or 90 minutes- whichever is your preference. All sessions take place at our base in Grassington.
To ensure the well-being and rest of the therapy horses, equine assisted psychotherapy sessions are not offered during December, January and February.
If you are curious about how equine assisted psychotherapy could support your mental health and emotional well-being, I would be happy to discuss whether this approach may be right for you.
