While those familiar to horses would contend that horses, in general, are good for any type of person, therapists, for whom which equine therapy is a new, untested field, have not been so quick to jump on the bandwagon.

Many of the concerns expressed have surrounded the relative lack of evidence available indicating the efficacy of work with horses, but also, lack of clarity as to what particular diagnosis may be helped by equine therapy.

Certainly these concerns are not without validity as we have learned that with the fertile emergence of all types of experiential therapies, some approaches are not helpful, and in some ways harmful, for certain types of clients.

So in considering the introduction of equine therapy for clients, we must be clear just who can be helped by our equine friends, as with other experiential methods, equine therapy is not for everyone. However, from the beginning, equine therapy was promoted for all types of clients, with the largest, and most prominent usage surrounding eating disorders.

Remuda Ranch, in Wickenburg, Arizona, (www.remudaranch.com) has, in many ways, been a trendsetter in this movement. This particular center, which is designed exclusively for the treatment of pervasive cases of eating disorders incorporates horses with every client, and the equine therapy program enjoys a large share of treatment time.

Of late, equine therapy has been espoused as an effective treatment for addictions, with the majority of centers promoting this, among other experiential therapies as a way to engage and ascertain information from clients who might otherwise be treatment resistant. The front runner in this approach has been Sierra Tucson, (www.sierratucson.com) the prominent rehabilitation center in Tucson Arizona. Like Remuda Ranch, equine therapy is a part of every client’s program, and the center’s sister site, Miraval, (www.miravalresorts.com) a less intense, and more akin to a “health spa,” uses equine therapy in majority to restore balance and wellness to client’s lives.

But even with the popular entrance of equine therapy for these two diagnostic categories, many questions abound regarding the multitude of other diagnosis that a person can suffer. So how might a curious therapist determine whether equine therapy may provide benefit for a client?

Well to begin, bringing equine therapy into the therapeutic equation involves the addition of a third party — which is the horse. As with any additional live member in the therapeutic relationship, there will be an attachment concern. The client will develop an attachment to the horse, or perhaps struggle to bond with the horse. This, in turn, may affect the attachment that the client either has, or does not have, with the therapist. However, as many seasoned therapists know, there are particular diagnosis for whom which attachment is a challenge.

Certainly this can the case with both eating disorders and addictions. This is also the reason that equine therapy can be helpful for these two diagnostic categories, as developing a relationship with a horse may prove easier than with people.

And therein lies the answer. Equine therapy can have a positive impact on any client who may avoid, be fearful, or even mistrustful of attaching to the therapist. However, that being said, there are times when this is not the case.

Any client for whom compliance and respect is problematic may not necessarily be helped by equine therapy, and in fact, may be harmed. For example, a client who disobeys rules, or demonstrates a general disregard for the welfare of others may either not listen to the therapist’s instructions when working with the horse, which would predispose him/her to harm, or endanger the horse through lack of regard for the animal’s welfare.

While equine therapy is an incredibly powerful addition to traditional therapy, and one that typically yields many gains for the client, it is also one, like many other powerful things, that must be handled cautiously, and with the greatest of care. In this way, equine therapy can begin to prove itself as a valid and supported from of therapy.

Photo by anemone projectors, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (February 6, 2011)

Mental Health Social (February 6, 2011)

Delicious Flavour (February 6, 2011)

Laura Hutchinson (February 8, 2011)

    Last reviewed: 6 Feb 2011