Equine Interaction Retreats, LLC

Oh how I wish it could be called “horse therapy”. But alas, it cannot. First, “horse therapy” does not clearly delineate who the client is. Is the horse getting therapy? Or a person? And therapy for what ailment?

Secondly, there is a difference between THERAPY and outcomes we may experience in our interactions with horses that are THERAPEUTIC. Hopefully if you go to therapy, there is therapeutic benefit which is being directly targeted as an outcome, but we can certainly have therapeutic benefits in learning settings and other activities (e.g., being out in nature, exercising, talking with friends and family). Horses can also innately offer us therapeutic gain. There are multiple professions that specialize in therapy of some kind that involves interactions with horses. A quick list includes:

• Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling;
• Hippotherapy (think physical and occupational therapy);
• Therapeutic riding for people with cognitive or physical disabilities; and
• Equine Assisted Learning

Is working with people in the above professions the ONLY way that we might get a therapeutic benefit from horses? Of course not! In fact, I have reflected often on the therapeutic benefits and insights I have received from time spent with my horses and learning from equine professionals. I have especially felt support and healing because of riding instructors and coaches who emphasize connection and mindfulness.

Here, I want to focus a little more on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and/or Counseling since that’s my arena (get it?). So let’s break it down.

Equine = horses, mules, donkeys, ponies which can all be used in EAP. I will say horses a lot here on my site for simplicity sake and because all of the equines in my program are indeed horses.

Assisted = This word is crucial as it helps define the role of the equine, sometimes this is interchanged with words like “facilitated” but both of these words are often questioned in the professional world. There is an effort to use the word “interaction” (as I do in my business title), but even that can create confusion for the general public.

It is mostly agreed upon however, that the horse itself is not a therapist, and it would be unfair to the horse to make that their job. Yep. You heard me. Your horse is not your therapist. The horse is a horse, and that is enough! We must be cautious to not over or under attribute their role. They are not a unicorn, mystic Deity, or likewise not a “tool” (yuck). Can a horse be a friend? Teammate? Partner in learning or even competition? YES! It’s all about relationship. Simply put, if you wouldn’t consider another person a tool or a god, then please don’t put that expectation on a horse either.

Psychotherapy = This helps define the role of the therapist and the targeted therapeutic goals. Psychotherapy is a form of mental health counseling that takes a whole-person approach to psychological healing that considers context of our history, family, biology, neurology, and environment. Mental health professionals vary in their theoretical orientation, but the term psychotherapy is intended to encompass the professional field as a whole in this context.

So while I may not correct anyone if they call “what I do” as horse therapy – the distinction and definition is important! Ultimately I am a mental health therapist who sometimes includes horses (and equines) as a part of the treatment team.

If Equine Assisted Therapy is something you are interested in and you live in the state of Washington please check out this page to learn more and get in touch!