Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Horses have the potential to influence people in powerful ways – assisting in emotional growth and learning. Providing a unique opportunity to learn about relationships with self and others, we believe that both physical and mental health is a direct outcome of healthy, connected relationships. Helping clients heal through the connection they cultivate with their equine partner is a powerful path to health and happiness. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is a proven experiential therapy that facilitates real and lasting change.

Through the help of horses, people grow in the following areas:

Healthy, Connected Relationships
Emotion Regulation
Healthy Boundaries
Responsibility to Self and Partner
Communication Skills
Assertiveness
Creative Thinking
Problem Solving
Nervous System Regulation
Collaboration

Working alongside a horse creates confidence, provides insight into relationships as well as our own behaviors, and offers new skills when dealing with other intimidating or challenging situations in life. Through this interactive therapy, participants learn to overcome various mental health issues:

Relationship Issues
Anxiety / Panic
Depression / Shame
Addiction
Eating Disorders
ADHD
Anger Issues
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Attachment & Adoption Issues
PTSD / Complex Developmental Trauma
Behavioral Issues
Life Transitions
Parenting Problems
Couples & Family Work

What if you don’t know anything about horses?

No problem. The focus is not on horse knowledge or know-how. It’s on relationship. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an experiential therapy where we partner with horses to facilitate real and lasting change. The process begins by choosing a horse to build a “real” relationship with – this isn’t just horsing around. As the therapy develops, self awareness, emotion regulation, insights into relationship patterns, confidence and attachment patterns unfold. Participants learn about and practice new strategies for healthy relationships to achieve goals both inside, then outside, the arena.

Do we ride the horses?

We will be interacting with the horses and, when appropriate, riding them for very specific reasons. This is not “horseback riding” lessons. Whether a person does mounted work or not will be determined by a clients desire and level of therapeutic appropriateness. Clients and their therapist will collaborate together to determine if riding will be a helpful therapy intervention. When the situation is right, there is much to be gained by mounted work.

How do I know this is right for me?

In order to gain a better understanding of equine-assisted psychotherapy, please check out these links and watch this short video to learn more about how horses help heal children and adults:

Check out the articles, videos and podcasts to learn more!

Interview with The Pulse (Lake Minnetonka Community TV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1K2mc4hWKU

Healing and Horses at Stable Living – Lake Minnetonka Magazine, June 2018

http://lakeminnetonkamag.com/healing-and-horses-stable-living

Healing and Horses, by Megan Smith – Laker Pioneer, Dec 29, 2017

https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/news/business/healing-and-horses/article_a70ecf32-eb82-11e7-920c-2b088bd0be78.html

Kippie Palesch: Healing with Horses – podcast interview with Shannon Paradis
episode: 16 Sept

https://www.learnlaughleap.com/

Horses Provide Supportive Therapy Through ‘Spirit Reins’ – YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIjoEGILLds