What is Equine-Assisted Therapy?
Equine-Assisted Therapy is a form of Experiential Therapy which uses the horses as a tool to help the participant process thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and patterns. Because horses are highly sensitive, clients can work through their life struggles by interacting with the horses without feeling judgment by another person.
We primarily follow the Eagala model of Equine-Assisted Therapy, which requires an Equine Specialist, a licensed Mental Health professional, and at least one horse. The horses are equal partners on the team and are allowed to interact freely with the client to more fully allow the client to work through and overcome their personal challenges.
All the work is done on the ground with no riding involved.
What is the EAGALA Model?
EAGALA stands for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. From Eagala's website:
The Eagala Model provides an innovative solution that provides a unique space for an emotionally safe, hands-on experience for clients. With real-time feedback, clients are able to reach issues where traditional talk-based therapies leave off.
The Model requires a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional and a qualified Equine Specialist who structure sessions incorporating horses to effectively address the client’s treatment plan or learning goals, helping with issues such as addiction, domestic abuse, behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety and trauma.
Everyone has the innate ability to solve their own problems. The role of the Eagala team is to provide guidance that assists the client’s own process and creates lasting solutions.
There are four standards with the Eagala Model:
What will a session look like?
During the first session, our team will begin by talking through expectations with the client and finding out where the participant’s primary focus is. Depending on where the client is in their personal journey, they may just observe and interact with the horses in their natural environment, or they may have a task that needs solved. Because the focus is on the horse rather than the client, participants often feel less pressure than they may feel in a typical talk-therapy environment. As noted earlier, Eagala is based around the belief that the client knows the solution to their problem, it is the facilitator’s role to help them find it and the horse’s job to make it clear—and they do. Generally, Equine-Assisted Therapy runs for 3-6 sessions, although this can vary as needed.
Equine-Assisted Therapy is a form of Experiential Therapy which uses the horses as a tool to help the participant process thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, and patterns. Because horses are highly sensitive, clients can work through their life struggles by interacting with the horses without feeling judgment by another person.
We primarily follow the Eagala model of Equine-Assisted Therapy, which requires an Equine Specialist, a licensed Mental Health professional, and at least one horse. The horses are equal partners on the team and are allowed to interact freely with the client to more fully allow the client to work through and overcome their personal challenges.
All the work is done on the ground with no riding involved.
What is the EAGALA Model?
EAGALA stands for Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. From Eagala's website:
The Eagala Model provides an innovative solution that provides a unique space for an emotionally safe, hands-on experience for clients. With real-time feedback, clients are able to reach issues where traditional talk-based therapies leave off.
The Model requires a licensed, credentialed Mental Health Professional and a qualified Equine Specialist who structure sessions incorporating horses to effectively address the client’s treatment plan or learning goals, helping with issues such as addiction, domestic abuse, behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety and trauma.
Everyone has the innate ability to solve their own problems. The role of the Eagala team is to provide guidance that assists the client’s own process and creates lasting solutions.
There are four standards with the Eagala Model:
- It is a Team Approach: All sessions include at least one Equine Specialist, Mental Health Professional, and Horse that works in collaboration with the Client.
- It is Entirely Ground-Based: No horseback riding is involved. Instead, deliberate techniques are utilized where the horses and environment become metaphoric in ground-based experiences.
- It is Solution-Oriented: The Eagala model is founded by the underlying belief that all clients are capable of discovering the best solutions for themselves.
- It has High Ethical Standards: those certified in the Eagala model receive training in Eagala’s Code of Ethics, which serves as our global standard to conduct business, and guide practice for all members, providing for the wellbeing and safety of our clients and horses.
What will a session look like?
During the first session, our team will begin by talking through expectations with the client and finding out where the participant’s primary focus is. Depending on where the client is in their personal journey, they may just observe and interact with the horses in their natural environment, or they may have a task that needs solved. Because the focus is on the horse rather than the client, participants often feel less pressure than they may feel in a typical talk-therapy environment. As noted earlier, Eagala is based around the belief that the client knows the solution to their problem, it is the facilitator’s role to help them find it and the horse’s job to make it clear—and they do. Generally, Equine-Assisted Therapy runs for 3-6 sessions, although this can vary as needed.
Pricing
(per 90 minute session)
(per 90 minute session)
Groups larger than 5 can be accommodated, price will vary.
At this time, we do not accept insurance.
ESA funds cannot be used for this program.
At this time, we do not accept insurance.
ESA funds cannot be used for this program.