[DP_2017]

Yesterday my T randomly suggested I try horse therapy, because I have more of a easier time connecting to animals than people.

I have never even so much as pet a horse. I'm just curious about a few things

Have any of you done this? If so, does it help?

What sorts of things do you do in this program? How long is it usually?

Is it something your T also goes to and it's like a session?

Is it costly? Something insurance covers?

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by DP_2017

Yesterday my T randomly suggested I try horse therapy, because I have more of a easier time connecting to animals than people.

I have never even so much as pet a horse. I'm just curious about a few things

Have any of you done this? If so, does it help?

What sorts of things do you do in this program? How long is it usually?

Is it something your T also goes to and it's like a session?

Is it costly? Something insurance covers?

So I have owned horses for many years and did horse therapy and even considered a job at a huge therapeutic horse therapy facility. For those reasons, I'm a big proponent. But I grew up around horses and they were natural to be around. They are enormous and strong and can be intimidating for some people without a background with them. Horses have an uncanny sense of "space" and are mirrors of humans' mental states and they can give a lot of good feedback to the sensitive observer...client or T.

Some centers are able to bill insurance; in my experience this is rare.

This is not inexpensive therapy.

There have been good results and even some substantiated studies for use of horses with PTSD and horse riding is well accepted for people with mobility issues and even people on the autistic spectrum.

Gotta run...I'd like to talk if you want to pm me.

[Ididitmyway]

Here John Oliver mentions horse therapy in the context of addiction rehabs

But seriously, being around horses may be therapeutic if you have an natural affinity for them, which I don't. I like horses but I feel uncomfortable around them. I was not raised around horses. I've ridden them twice on the tours. It was kind of fun but a bit scary in the beginning and I can't say I would want to repeat that experience.

I would say that pets in general are therapeutic to have around if you love animals, which I do. I have two cats and can definitely say that they make my life better. I also recently began volunteering for the animal shelter. I like it to some extend, but I can't say it's a very therapeutic environment.

So, whether taking care of horses or other animals can help the person heal depends a lot on many factors - on the personality of the person and the animal they are dealing with, on the environment where it takes place, on feelings and attitudes towards animals in general etc. Frankly, if your therapist suggestion doesn't get you excited to try it then this may not be for you. If you are in doubt, it's better not do it.

[seeker33]

My friend used to do horse riding (not a therapy) in her childhood and teens and she absolutely loved it! It helped her survive divorce of her parents.

[DP_2017]

I have a ESA dog... I know dogs are theraputic but we are trying to expand my options, even other dog things. I love animals in general and never pet a horse but I'd love to and love to ride one. I don't mind the idea but I was just more curious if it worked

For me I mostly have anxiety and social issues. I mean like what do you do though? Just ride them or is thre more to it?

[SalingerEsme]

One great thing about time with horses is that it is "mindful" in an effortless way. You're always reading signals from the horse- an ear flick, a tail swish, a nicker. Your mind really doesn't drift away to the past or theoretical things or human rumination- being intensely present with the horse is a big part of safety for the human and the horse. They have such velvety muzzles .

[hopealwayz]

That sounds interesting.

[hopealwayz]

I have one in my area. I’ve been looking it up.

They used to have one in my province for trauma survivors; mostly work related PTSD (military, first responders, etc). It apparently did wonders but lost funding from the provincial government and was unable to continue.

As a teenager I volunteered for equine therapy for the disabled so I imagine it would be similar in that clients be paired with an animal and learn to care for it's needs in addition to just spending time with it. One then develops a bond.

[toomanycats]

I have not done horse therapy, but horseback riding was a huuuuge part of my therapeutic recovery.

My understanding of equine-assisted therapy is that you would work with a therapist who is specifically trained in it. Equine-assisted therapy is different from therapeutic riding - you learn to connect with and care for a horse, but you don't ride. Therapeutic riding you would do with a riding instructor.

Horseback riding helped me a lot with reclaiming my body and learning to claim my personal space. It improved my confidence and just overall gave me a sense of self. It was scary at first -- my husband would have to come with me to get the horse from the field -- I was scared of these huge animals (reminder: wasn't doing horse therapy, just regular lessons, thus why I had to fetch my horse from day 1 etc.). But, eventually, I could herd 5 horses using just body language!

I miss it so much.

[Taylor27]

No but i am looking into it for myself as part of my therapy. One set back is the cost of it and im not on a insurance plan that would cover it. I have pstd because of my childhood sexual abuse ect.

[DP_2017]

Thanks for all the info. I'll see what he finds. What i found is nowhere close to me. If it's too pricey though I'd opt out. Money is tight

[AllHeart]

You might consider going for a trail ride to see if you even like horses before considering equine therapy. My teenage daughter started taking horse riding lessons about a year and a half ago. It's technically not therapy, yet, it's been exceptionally therapeutic for her. Her horse is the best therapist I could have ever hired.

So, I really don't know how equine therapy works, exactly, but I've heard great things about it. I think if you aren't interested in horses, or, you are but can't afford the equine therapy, there a lot of other ways to benefit from the therapy animals can provide.

[ruh roh]

I did equine therapy for several months. It is expensive, but so worth it. There is no riding involved. The facilitator (which may be different than the therapist or it can be a therapist who is also a facilitator) guided me through various exercises with the horse that addressed different issues (calming, boundary setting, relationship building). Horses trained in this work cannot be fooled by how a person presents themselves, and they will not approach if the person is being false (acting like they are happy, when they're angry or sad and suppressing it, for example), and it's very rewarding to make the connection with them, which comes from being congruent. They will tend and befriend those they have a connection with.


If the facilitator is not a therapist, I think they will work with the therapist to create a treatment plan and provide information that can then be worked out in reflective therapy sessions. I am not sure if this is how all programs work, but this is how it was for me. A big plus was that I got to bring my dog who was great around the horses and knew not to harass them, to keep a safe distance. If he had been harassing or disruptive, he would not have been allowed. I really miss going there. It was awesome to have therapy outside like that, and in all kinds of weather, too. A few times, we built a bonfire and reflected on sessions with the horses or I wrote things on paper and burned them to release whatever it was that was weighing on me at the time.

[musinglizzy]

I have had horses all but the first 8 years of my life. I'm almost 44. They ARE therapy for me....they just "get it."

[Erebos]

Have owned and worked with horses most of my life.
We ran a rescue that worked with disadvantaged kids, and kids,with behavioural difficulties.

Horses can touch people in a very profound manner, not unlike dolphins do.

These huge animals could do pretty much as they pleased if they were so inclined, but they choose to be with us/you.

I can't really explain but the connection you can have with a horse is unlike any other.

They know, without you ever having to tell them anything.

[SummerTime12]

I’ve never ridden a horse or done equine therapy but reading ruh roh’s description makes me want to try it lol. It sounds like a very freeing experience. I hope that you and your t can find something affordable and not too far away if it’s something you want to try!

Originally Posted by DP_2017

Yesterday my T randomly suggested I try horse therapy, because I have more of a easier time connecting to animals than people.

I have never even so much as pet a horse. I'm just curious about a few things

Have any of you done this? If so, does it help?

What sorts of things do you do in this program? How long is it usually?

Is it something your T also goes to and it's like a session?

Is it costly? Something insurance covers?

Be a bit of. a struggle to find a horse in London lol.

[feralkittymom]

I have no experience with equine therapy. But I spent much of my life with horses. A good program will not expose you to anything to be afraid of. The horses are chosen for and worked with for this purpose. Having a natural affinity is absolutely not required. And just as an aside, horses magically shrink in size pretty quickly as you're around them .

[seeker33]

Wow your descriptions make me want to get a horse right now! I know a place where they keep horses here. I'll go there tomorrow and bring them some apples and carrots. I'll only be able to pet them through a fence but once I walked there and saw the horses I picked some juicy grass and gave them through the fence. One of them let me pet him :-)