What are Equine-Assisted Therapy and Equine-Assisted Experiences?

Equine-assisted therapy and equine-assisted experiences are non-riding experiences where you work alongside horses to slow down, become curious, and learn more about yourself.

There is no riding and no previous horse experience is necessary. You simply come as you are, spend time with the horses, and see what you discover together.

  • During a session, you may spend time observing horses at liberty, interact with them on the ground, participate in a guided activity, practice mindfulness, or use art and reflection to explore your experience.

    There is no “right” way to interact with the horses. We slow down and pay attention to what happens: What do you notice? How do you respond? What does the horse do? What happens when you approach, wait, step away, or try something different?

  • Horses are extraordinarily sensitive and perceptive animals. As prey animals, they are highly attuned to their surroundings and notice subtle changes in the people, animals, and environment around them.

    But horses also play, explore, connect, rest, roll in the mud, and return to grazing. Working alongside them gives us an opportunity to slow down, become more present, and notice our own patterns of connection, communication, emotion, and response.

  • Equine-assisted therapy is provided within a therapeutic relationship and can support people navigating trauma and trauma-related concerns, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and other emotional and mental health challenges.

    Equine-assisted experiences are for anyone interested in learning, reflection, connection, personal growth, resilience, or thriving. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to participate.

    Both may incorporate mindfulness, creative expression, guided reflection, and time with horses.

Working alongside horses invites you to slow down and see yourself in new ways. Through time with the horses, journaling, art, mindfulness, and reflection, you can explore your experiences, notice patterns, reconnect with your strengths, and become curious about the story you are living—and the story you want to create.

  • “The horses helped me slow down enough to notice things I hadn’t been able to put into words. Through the art, reflection, and simply being with them, I began to see my story differently—not only where I had been, but where I wanted to go.”

  • "Being with the horses helped me get out of my head and back into my body. I could finally notice what I was feeling instead of trying to think my way through it.”

  • "The horse didn’t need me to explain myself. I could just be there. I didn’t realize how much I needed to feel accepted without having to say anything."

  • "I noticed that I kept waiting for the horse to come to me because I was afraid of being rejected. It made me realize how often I do the same thing with people."

  • “I came in thinking I needed to get the horse to do something. Instead, I learned to slow down, pay attention, and listen. That changed the way I thought about connection.”

  • “I spend so much of my life judging my body. With the horses, my body became something different—it helped me notice, feel, move, connect, and know what I needed.”

  • “I thought we were going to work with the horses. I didn’t expect the experience to help me see myself so clearly. I left feeling more connected to who I am and more hopeful about where I’m going.”