Equine Therapy: How Horses Can Help You Heal

It’s no news that animals are therapeutic and horses are no exception. In fact, horse therapy (equine therapy) has long been used to treat a variety of health conditions, including learning and physical disabilities, emotional trauma and, most recently, addiction.

Equine therapy programs are becoming more common at various addiction treatment centers around the world and can be tailored to suit the unique needs of the individual in recovery.

The Role of Equine Therapy in Addiction TreatmentEquine friends can help people with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders to build trust, learn boundaries and identify stumbling blocks to recovery. Here’s a look at a few more ways horses can help you heal:

• You’ll boost your mood. Spending time with horses has been linked with increased happiness and decreased stress for people in recovery.
• You’ll learn about trust. A big part of equine therapy is developing a relationship with the horse while tending to its basic needs, including feeding, grooming and exercise.
• You’ll learn to be more “present.” Equine therapy teaches people in recovery to stay present as they focus on caring for the animal.
• You’ll learn to overcome fear. This is especially true if you fear the large creatures and need to push through this fear to approach and work with the horses.
• You’ll learn responsibility. Taking care of a horse can help impart the value of hard work and enable individuals to accept responsibility for past actions.

Ask About Our Equine-Assisted TherapyAt NorthStar Transitions, we offer our clients a variety of experiential therapy activities, including equine therapy. Experiential therapy breaks down a client’s walls and allows them to practice a skill or learn a concept through an experience rather than a facilitated group or lecture. To learn more about our equine-assisted therapy and other wellness programs, call today: 303-558-6400.