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Facilitating healing through connection with horses
Each person is different, and so are the reasons that bring them to seek help. Whether you are exploring an alternative therapy option to help tackle some of life's obstacles or looking for creative treatment strategies to manage anxiety or depression, increase understanding and regulation of emotions, or improve interpersonal relationships, On Course offers an engaging and experiential approach to reach your goals so that you can move forward on your own journey toward wellness. In addition to therapy, we also offer equine-assisted learning, summer camps and other recreational activities. See our Services page for more information.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning
Why Horses?
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There is no one-size-fits-all therapy model. However, humans learn best by doing, meaning engaging our bodies, in addition to understanding with our minds. Working with horses creates immediate, tangible experiences. We don't have to wait to take concepts home to practice; change begins in the horse-human interaction.
Many types of animals offer comfort and companionship, but horses offer much more. They are inherently social animals and herds have unique relational dynamics, with each horse harboring its own personality. Horses allow us to see our patterns of thinking and behavior and teach us different ways of communicating and interacting that are often necessary in our every day lives. Horses are animals of prey in the wild, meaning they have to be in-tune and alert to their surroundings for survival. This enables them to sense our emotions and physiological states, making them excellent indicators of how we feel in the moment. They also allow us to enter into a non-judgemental relationship, giving us the space needed to work through our challenges. Additionally, the research body investigating the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy continues to grow. It has been found effective when used with a variety of difficulties including trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, interpersonal conflict, behavioral concerns and more. It has also been found useful in improving problem solving, social skills, emotional regulation, and leadership skills. The benefits of being outdoors and in nature are inherent in working with horses and include increased physical activity, reduction of screen time (for children and adults), enhanced creativity, natural exposure to Vitamin D, and more. |
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