As strange as it may seem, adding a horse to the psychotherapy equation may be the missing piece you've been looking for.

Equine assisted therapy is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning. EAP is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a horse professional. Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term, or "brief" approach.

EAP is experiential in nature. Participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors and patterns. This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used around the world. But EAP has the added advantage of utilizing the horse, a dynamic and powerful living being.

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How Does it Work?

Equine-assisted counseling consists of a hands-on approach, as an alternative to going to an office setting and doing traditional "talk" therapy. The certified staff is specially trained in working with people in finding solutions through individualized, action-oriented activities. One staff member is the certified clinical psychotherapist while the other staff is an equine expert knowledgeable in all aspects of horsemanship including teaching at the college level, therapeutic riding instructor and a counselor.

Equine-assisted counseling is not therapeutic riding or horsemanship, 90% of the work takes place on the ground. While emphasizing safety, Eagle's Ride staff design a program to get the client out of their head, experiencing and learning things about yourself in the here and now. This approach can be especially effective with those who find it difficult or reluctant to talk about or express feelings or problems, or for those who are finding it difficult to achieve success in traditional types of therapy.