July 2009 Newsletter
July 1, 2009
Equine Assisted Therapy
(A New Experiential Approach)
by Lorn Adkins
Equine Assisted Therapy uses horses for emotional growth and learning. Participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing beliefs, behaviors, and patterns. Experiential learning occurs when experiences are supported by reflection and analysis. Throughout the process the client, clients or families are actively engaged in investigating, solving problems, and constructing meaningful situations. Within the exercises relationships are developed and nurtured. Clients, couples, families may experience success, failure, and uncertainty because the outcomes (like life and relationship) cannot be absolutely predictable.
Why Horses?
Horses seem to influence people in two ways: developing relationships and caring for another very powerful animal. Horses are powerful, which creates an opportunity to overcome fears and develop confidence. Horses easily intimidate people directly providing examples for dealing with life experiences. Horses are also very social with defined roles. They have very individual personalities and moods. They, like people, may seem stubborn or defiant. They may be playful one day and not so much the next. Even an approach that may work with one horse (one person) may not work with another. Some people may say they want relationships that are not work or that don’t require caring. But the reality is both horses and people need to work in the relationship and in the caring. There is no easy way within the process of life.
In equine therapy the focus is on human skills, not horsemanship or horse skills. With the EAGALA model of equine work all of the exercises are on the ground. Mounted work requires instruction and minimizes the resolution of the problem. From a risk stand point staying on the ground is a benefit. It is therapy first, not just a way to have fun! Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, and problem resolution can be utilized and developed in an equine assisted program. EAT’s growing popularity in the mental health community has occurred mainly because it works. One exercise involves participants getting a horse to go over a jump. Not a difficult challenge. Right? This cannot be much of a metaphor for the challenges in our relationships or does not need a caring approach. Now let’s consider the directions as they are given: No touching, no halters or leading ropes, no bribing, and no talking to the others on your team trying to accomplish this task.
An EAT therapist once described a session with an oppositional juvenile. The boy was asked to halter a horse when he had no horse experience. The boy walked out to the horse tried once, then came back to the therapist saying, “I can’t.” The therapist did not say anything. Finally, the boy in frustration threw the halter on the ground and started to walk out of the arena. The therapist said, “Please, pick up the halter and take care of it.” Again the oppositional boy said, “Why? It’s yours not mine!” The therapist said nothing but the boy returned to the halter and the horse and attempted the task again. The therapy is not about the task, but about the attitude of the boy. Now consider this process and the learning and the metaphors of life. This exercise can lead to some good discussions for couples, families, and individuals.
Equine therapy will be available for individuals, couples, and families. Stay tuned, Lorn is working toward more certification in this area. Anyone interested in knowing more talk to Lorn Adkins.