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Sandy Hills
Stables
What is Equine Facilitated Therapy?
Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) focuses on those with mental or substance use disorders, cognitive issues, and other disorders. While still a form of “talk” therapy, EAP allows clients to use multiple senses while identifying and processing emotional issues.
Equine-related therapy and treatment. These include:
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Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP)
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Hippotherapy
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Therapeutic Riding
The outdoor environment and use of animals lend a unique, positive dimension to the experience. During each session, clients may ride or otherwise work with horses while a mental health professional helps the individual process certain emotions. Participants usually learn all aspects of horse care, including grooming, saddling and riding.
What Can Be Treated?
Research shows EAP, Hippotherapy, and Equine-Assisted Activities are an appropriate therapeutic approach for children, teens, adults, families, and groups. Some conditions or disorders that respond well to EAP or related equine-assisted therapies include:
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Substance Use Disorders
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Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Stress
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Trauma
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Eating Disorders
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Behavior Disorders
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Traumatic Brain Injury
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Dementia
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Learning Challenges
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ADD/ADHD
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Autism, Asperger’s
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Down Syndrome
What are the benefits?
Typically, Equine Therapy is one component of a comprehensive treatment plan, meant to complement conventional approaches appropriate for the specific situation. Equine therapy sessions should always be led by a certified Equine-Assisted therapist, who has received specialized training in equine therapy, as well as traditional training in the mental health field. The interaction between horse and client often unlocks blocked emotions, allowing them to be processed and healed. Equine trainers, Angelic, Molly and Therapist, Jessica claim, “ Its a marvel at how a horse can behave in a certain way that results in the presentation of a crucial issue for a client. It is as though the horse already knows the history.”
A recent article in Psychology Today discusses a number of ways people benefit from EAP:
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Increased trust *Reduced anxiety *Less feeling of depression / isolation
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Increased self-esteem. *Self-acceptance *Social skills
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Better impulse control. *including non-verbal *Increased problem-solving skills
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Improved communication skills *The importance of assertiveness *nurture another creature
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Better healthy boundaries *Learn to get outside own negative *self-absorbed thoughts
The therapy helps individuals better manage their emotions and learn to express feelings more positively. Riding and caring for the horses improve self-esteem, anxiety, and improves negative body issues. Most clients in Equine Therapy benefit from the unconditional acceptance offered by the horses they work with.
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