What is equine therapy?  Equine therapy originally started as a program that involved the use of horses in riding therapeutically for individuals with physical disabilities.  The horseback riding experience provided the rider with a gentle rhythm similar to the human gait; this often helped improve muscle strength, flexibility and balance.  It has also been found that individuals with mental or emotional disabilities can benefit from interactions with horses.  The individual forms a relationship with the horse that can help build their confidence, patience, and self-esteem.

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was formed for the purpose to promote safe, professional, and therapeutic equine activities through education and research, for people with and without disabilities.  Many of us are familiar with this association; we have seen it in the news and in printed articles.  Through the success of their programs, there was a need to form a new addition to the association, the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA).

This EFMHA was formed for the purpose of promoting, and educating others or clinical professionals, to work with horses. They also set the standards of horse knowledge, that pertain directly to Equine Facilitated Mental Health programs.  One program that has been developed, and is ever evolving, is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), is a fairly new field, and still in the experimental stages.  Individuals learn about themselves by interacting in a series of specially designed activities with horses.  EAP is not about riding horses. It's about therapeutic activities that take place on the ground under the guidance of a licensed psychologist and an equine specialist. The therapy on horses usually is without the use of bridles or saddles.  These activities promote beneficial therapeutic healing and growth, by teaching the individual how to deal, and learn about their own emotions.  It helps people increase awareness as to how their emotions affect others and their daily lives.

Why are horses used and not other animals?  Horses are very social animals.  They have distinct personalities and temperaments.  They mirror exactly what human body language is telling them by reacting immediately to signals you may not realize you are sending.  Horses are large and powerful, and their size can be intimidating to many people.  Participating in an activity with a horse, in spite of their size and presence, can build confidence.

One method used in EAP; a halter is handed to a participant and the individual is then instructed go into an arena and catch a horse.  Depending on the approach, the horse may back away, run, or allow the individual to place the halter over its head.  It can be an easy task, or a very daunting task, it is all in how the horse interprets the participant's body language.  They may give up and walk away, because it appears to be impossible, or they try a variety of methods until they are able to approach the horse and place the halter over its head.  It makes the participant stand back and access the situation.  Many times it requires more than one session to accomplish this activity.  Each time the individual feels like giving up, the question can be asked; how could this simple activity be compared to how people approach each other, an