Equine Assisted Therapy

Renew offers Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) as an experiential form of therapy designed to support individuals and families confronting parent-child contact problems, school adjustment difficulties, mental health concerns, bereavement, trauma or are exploring personal or professional self-development. This therapeutic approach involves interactions with a horse and does not require any prior experience with horses. Unlike riding lessons, all activities are done on the ground, and the focus is on the emotional and psychological benefits that can arise from working with these intuitive animals.

What is Equine Assisted Therapy? 

EAT is a structured therapeutic process that uses interactions between clients and horses to promote emotional growth, healing, and improved relationships. Guided by a trained therapist, participants engage in specific tasks such as leading, grooming, or observing the horse’s behavior. These activities, although simple on the surface, are powerful tools for building trust, communication, and self-awareness.

Horses are highly sensitive animals and can mirror human emotions and behaviours, making them ideal partners in therapy. Their non-judgmental nature creates a safe space where clients can process complex feelings, rebuild damaged relationships, and explore new ways of coping with challenges.

Who Can Benefit? 

While many clients engage in Equine Assisted Therapy as part of reunification therapy, other reasons clients access this service include: 

• School adjustment challenges, such as anxiety or attendance issues 
• Mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression 
• Bereavement following a loss or distressing event 
• Personal or professional coaching to address leadership, confidence, and resilience through an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) approach

Examples of Equine Assisted Therapy in Action: 

1. Rebuilding Parent-Child Relationships: Imagine a session where a parent and child, estranged after a high-conflict separation, are asked to work together to guide a horse through a simple obstacle course. The child may initially feel hesitant, unsure of how to cooperate with the parent. Meanwhile, the parent might be eager to assert control, wanting to fix the situation quickly. However, the horse’s response to their mixed signals—perhaps stubbornly refusing to move—offers an opportunity to explore these dynamics in a non-threatening way. With the therapist’s guidance, parent and child can reflect on their communication patterns and work together more harmoniously. Over time, these insights can be transferred into their everyday relationship, promoting reconnection and trust. 
2. Processing Trauma: Consider a child who has experienced trauma, either from witnessing intimate partner violence between their parents or from suffering physical or emotional abuse by one of their parents. In an Equine Assisted Therapy session, the child might be asked to approach and gently groom the horse. Initially, the child may be fearful or hesitant to engage, reflecting their internal emotional state. The horse, attuned to the child’s anxiety, may stand still and patiently wait for the child to make the first move.

As the child slowly begins to brush the horse, they might notice the horse’s calm and non-threatening demeanor, which can help the child feel more secure. The act of caring for the horse allows the child to regain a sense of control and safety—feelings that are often lost after traumatic experiences. Throughout the session, the therapist might help the child reflect on their own emotions, using the horse’s gentle behavior as a model for rebuilding trust, safety, and emotional regulation.

Over time, these therapeutic interactions help the child process their trauma in a safe and supportive environment, allowing them to rebuild their emotional resilience and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Effectiveness of Equine Assisted Therapy: 

Research has shown that Equine Assisted Therapy can be highly effective in addressing emotional and psychological challenges. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that EAT significantly improved the emotional well-being of children and adolescents who participated in the therapy, particularly in reducing anxiety and building self-esteem. Additionally, a 2013 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health noted that equine-assisted interventions were beneficial in improving interpersonal relationships and reducing symptoms of PTSD.

Equine Assisted Therapy provides a unique and effective way for individuals and families to address complex emotional challenges. Whether rebuilding a fractured relationship or processing personal grief, horses offer a grounding, non-judgmental presence that can help facilitate profound change.

Ready to experience Equine Assisted Therapy? Equipment and a trained horse will be provided, and no prior experience with horses is necessary. Fill in the following contact form to learn more about how this therapy can benefit you and your family.

Location:

Services offered at Lyra Farm

1789 Noland Rd., Clarence-Rockland, ON.

K0A 2A0

Additional information visit magtherapy.ca