Healing with Horses

What is Healing with Horses?

Healing with Horses is an Equine-Assisted Learning program which helps develop life skills in individuals with mental, physical, social, or learning challenges. These include children and adults with complex trauma and those with special needs.

Our mission goes beyond traditional therapy; we equip our clients (and their families and support staff) with essential life skills that empower them to manage anxiety and anger, regulate their emotions, and build self-confidence and self-esteem. Through engaging hands-on activities, participants enhance their gross and fine motor skills, improve cognitive thinking and how to follow directions—all while surrounded by the peaceful and nurturing environment of our farm.

This is an experiential mode of therapy, which means it is based on activities on the ground with the horses. There is no horseback riding involved. (If you are interested in Horseback Riding, please visit our Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program, to learn more.) These activities are then processed to understand emotions, behaviors, and patterns which can lead to healing and change.

At Healing with Horses, we believe in the extraordinary bond between humans and animals. Our program features not only our majestic horses & mini donkeys, but also our goats, friendly chickens, and our charming pet pig, Sassy. These wonderful creatures play an integral role in the healing journey, providing companionship, joy, and a unique pathway to emotional and physical well-being.

However, the essence of Healing with Horses extends far beyond skill-building. We are dedicated to fostering a sense of community where clients can develop their sense of belonging and purpose. Here, actions matter, and every contribution is meaningful. We focus on promoting self-worth, self-advocacy, and self-discovery, which ultimately leads to a profound sense of dignity.

When children and adults join Healing with Horses, they are welcomed into a family. They learn the importance of responsibility, compassion, and empathy, rediscovering themselves in the process. Our program is not just about healing; it’s about creating lasting connections and memories in a fun, hands-on farm environment.

Why Horses?

Horses are your guides and teachers on the child’s journey of self-discovery and healing. Horses are prey animals and highly sensitive. In fact, they can sync their heartbeat to a human’s from 4 feet away.  Because they give honest feedback with no judgement or ego, they respond according to what the person’s body language, emotions and energy are communicating – our non-verbal communication.

They are particularly fitting for those who have experienced early developmental trauma due to the specific correlations between their characteristics. Because horses are prey animals, they are always in survival mode; often very much like children with trauma. They are attuned to the environment and can sense energy and feelings in humans before we can. As a result,  they can draw out information we may not even know or be aware of (yet the horses do).

Anger is born out of fear. It is a secondary emotion derived from fear, usually from not being in control. Anger becomes our tool for regaining control. Nature does not reflect our anger back at us. Horses do not reflect our anger back at us. Horses and nature take everything we throw at her and only give back abundance.

Together we calm the storms inside. We help our clients understand their underlying beliefs that motivate their actions and help them change those underlying beliefs.  Learning to care for a horse and work with a horse takes a person out of the chaos and into a simplified environment, freeing them to accept responsibility for their choices and their lives.