Everything to Know About Equine-assisted Psychotherapy
March 14, 2025
Horses are well known for the special connection they form with their owners, but bonding with horses is not only more accessible than ever, it can be healing. Beyond pet companionship, horses can be used in therapeutic settings to help people process challenging emotional experiences.
During equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), people may groom, feed, or lead a horse with a mental health professional nearby. The main goal of this form of therapy is to help patients with emotional regulation. EAP differs from traditional talk therapy as it offers a more inviting setting, brings people outside, and allows them to use all their senses while processing emotions.
How Horse Therapy Differs From Traditional Counseling
Unlike humans, horses bring different qualities to therapy. For example, horses cannot give patients a feeling of bias or judgement, but because they are sensitive to emotions, they still convey a sense of understanding and connection. “They’re sentient beings, and they think and feel and have incredible memories,” says Paige Deponte, director of an equine-assisted trauma-informed care organization in Honokowai, Hawaii. “They were made to do this.”
Plus, horses’ care, such as feeding and grooming, is therapeutic and helps build empathy. The horse’s unique nature gives people a better awareness of their emotions, increased adaptability, stress tolerance, and even self-esteem. “The goal is for the client to find out more about their needs through a series of questions,” says Depontei. “No session is ever the same.”
Horses Have Been Used in Therapy Throughout History
Hippocrates, the Greek physician known as the “Father of Medicine,” wrote about the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding around 400 BCE. Around the world, horses have even been used to heal specific physical ailments. Scandinavia used equine therapy to treat patients with myelitis in 1946, and in 1952, the Olympian Liz Hartzel credited the healing power of horses as helping her recover from polio.
Riding became a popular form of therapy in the 1950s and 1960s. The North American Riding for Handicapped Association was formed in 1969 and eventually became the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, recognized as PATH. By the 1980s, American and Canadian therapists created a more structured Hippotherapy model to be referenced for treatment.
The Benefits of Horse-Assisted Therapies
Equine-assisted forms of therapy are becoming more popular because of increasing evidence of their effectiveness. “I think it’s growing, and the benefits of it are commanding attention because it is unique,” says Whitney Diamond, who breeds and trains horses for a living. “A huge part of the reason why I believe that the therapy is so powerful with horses is that they’re so primal.”
It’s thought that since they’ve been domesticated for some time, horses are attuned to human emotions and nonverbal signals. This allows them to mirror what someone is feeling, enabling the patient to recognize their mental state. “A big part of therapy is that you must work with them,” says Diamond. “It’s powerful because you have this other being that’s not judging you, that’s working off synergy and energy, and they’re going to meet you where you’re at, good or bad.”
EAP is shown to be just as effective in children, teens, and adults and may be used to help with anxiety, depression, and trauma. EAP can benefit young children who find it challenging to open up and process painful experiences.
There are also physical benefits from working with horses. Caring for an animal is shown to decrease blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Horses in particular encourage socialization through other riders, which can lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation. Vigorous horseback riding is also a great cardiovascular exercise, while grooming the horse and taking care of equipment can help build strength.
How to Find a Treatment Center Near You
You may reference PATH Intl. or the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association to find an EAP certified professional. These are the most reputable organizations that set the standard, train, and certify anyone using horses as a part of therapy.
Those who are interested in trying EAP are advised to find a program that specializes in their specific difficulty, such as anxiety or trauma recovery. The mental professional at the given organization will then be able to tell potential clients whether or not they seem like a fit for the program.
If you have any physical limitations, especially back injuries, then EAP might not be the right fit for you. Other considerations include a fear of horses and the cost of therapy, which may not be covered through insurance.
If you or a loved one may benefit from equine-assisted therapy, you may look for an organization that takes your insurance or offers affordable care. With Insureyouknow.org, you may keep your medical records and progress reports in one easy-to-access place. By keeping track of the changes you notice during therapy, you can observe how you benefit from this unique form of connection in many different ways.