Horses

In addition to having a great therapist, I also have a horse therapy therapist. Has anyone else done horse therapy? I don’t ride horses, I just meet with them, pet them, groom them and give them treats. It can be very intense and sometimes I get very emotional, something I rarely do in regular therapy. Horses are very sensitive and in tune with your emotions. They are also very calming for me. Anyone else? I would like to hear about other people’s experiences. Thanks

I did equine therapy, and I loved being outside instead of inside an office. The horses were amazing. The big downside was that when it ended due to a move, I lost 5 therapists instead of one (4 horses and 1 human). That's a lot of loss in one swipe.

I'm a horse trainer who works with abused horses (volunteer job). They are wonderful and amazing creatures, and they can teach us a lot. I just have to smell them and feel like I am in a different world. 😊

I used to ride and take lessons as a kid at a local stable. I always felt like it was a good experience to learn trust, caring for another creature, non verbal communication and especially gentle assertiveness. I wish my family at the time could afford to keep sending me. It was good for this awkward once-tween to have mastery over something, anything.

Not exactly, but one time my shamanic drumming group spent a day on a ranch with a couple of horses, and one of the things we did was had a drumming circle in the corral with them - they were very gentle. It was such an incredible experience. While we were all sitting in a big circle with our eyes closed and drumming, one of the horses came up to me and butted her nose against my forehead. Sure surprised me! I later told the owner of the ranch about it and she said that was the horses way of "mothering" me because he sensed I needed it. It was a beautiful moment!! I have a picture somewhere of me with the horse. I must go find it.

Ah found it. My hair was a bit longer then! this was in 2014!

I love that picture, Art. One thing I learned in my therapy with them is that as prey animals, they "tend and befriend" to keep the herd safe. They are great at regulating emotions.

I have horses and find them therapeutic in many ways. I learn a lot from them. I also work with abused horses and learn a lot from them as well.

They are incredibly sensitive and perceptive about body language. Sometimes I think about doing the work to be certified as a equine therapist; I think I would like doing that. In the meantime, I seem to always have a couple of teenaged girls who like to hang around and learn horse stuff. I enjoy mentoring them.

I worked for about a year at a therapeutic riding center. I mainly worked with individuals during riding lessons in the ring. But I also spent time with individuals who did their session on the ground (petting, feeding, grooming, etc.). All I can say is that horses are amazing creatures. I've seen individuals connect with horses in a way that they can't with other people around them and it was beautiful to witness people come out of their shells when they stepped onto the ranch.

I used to ride horses when I was younger (for fun) and it was a very therapeutic activity for me. It's incredible how deep of a connection one can make to such a large animal.

I've never even touched a horse, but I'd love to. I'd do something like this.

I do have a therapy dog, I had 2 but one passed away. We used to visit hospitals and schools etc and it was so amazing seeing the impact on others. Animals rock

I'm also a horse owner, I've had horses of my own since I was 8, I'm now 43. I currently have five. I find them extremely therapeutic...and when I'm in a deep depression, they FORCE me to do something..because I have to go out there every day to feed and care for them.

I am the same. I have 2 & no matter how bad I’m feeling, I never miss seeing to them. They are very therapeutic for me & will lift my mood. My safe place is with them.