Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

Now part of the Non Profit Back In The Saddle  (BITS) program.

Donations welcome

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Equine–assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is the use of equines to treat human psychological problems in and around an equestrian facility. It is not the same as therapeutic riding or hippotherapy.

Equine-assisted therapy encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other equines to promote human physical and mental health. The use of EAT has roots in antiquity, and EAT applies to physical health issues in modern form dates to the 1960s.

Research has confirmed many equine therapy benefits. It lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, alleviates stress and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Equine therapy also helps people struggling with addictions or mental illness. There are several life skills that horse teaches better than a person.

Equine therapy can target physical concerns such as behavioral tics, motor control issues, balance, posture, and coordination-especially in children and teens with cerebral palsy. In other cases, working with horses helped by increasing individuals’ cognitive skills, reducing stress, easing symptoms of PTSD, and addressing symptoms of depression. Equine therapy has even been shown to, for some individuals, have a positive effect on destructive relationship patterns that have developed or behaviors that compromise health or safety.

In a study of over 30 people participating in an experiential equine-assisted therapy program, researchers found the individuals’ psychological distress reduced immediately following treatment and that psychological well-being improved. These positive effects held stable through a follow-up six months later.

This service is not available for Insurance payment. Fees for this services start at $150 for about a 60 min session with a 10% discount for prepayment of multiple sessions.