The power of horses in psychotherapy has a sense of knowing, a sense of resonance, probably also shrouded in mystery and mysticism. It’s something that seems plausible, familiar, captured in films, TV series and novels, and yet also removed from everyday reality. 

Horses healing humans, in fact, is a growing form of therapy in South Africa. So let’s unpack the myths and intrigue into knowing, understanding so we can open the possibilities.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

EAP is a new field in South Africa where horses assist/co-facilitate a healing or therapeutic process. The horse is an equal and intrinsic part of a therapeutic team: made up of a therapist (for example a psychologist or social worker); a horse specialist (who understands horse behaviour and specifically the horses being used in the process); and the horses.

This therapeutic team then works with the client to bring an inner awareness and solutions, which they then take into their lives and world.

Why are Horses used in this Therapy?

Human beings are fascinated by horses, by their power, strength, symbol of freedom and control. Horses are prey animals; they have no method of defence in the wild, relying on a strong social bond and their sensitive natures, their intuition to awaken them to danger and their speed to escape. 

They operate within a system in which each has their personality, their individuality, as well as a place in the herd. They work together with the herd, much like an effective, healthy family or organisation.

Horses are used in the process because:

• They are very sensitive.
• They are intuitive.
• What you see is what you get – they are real, authentic and, by being that, the human is encouraged to be as well.
• They have an innate desire for congruency, they can’t lie.
• They are non-judgmental, they accept you as you are and work with you where you are, but they will not tolerate behaviour that does not stem from a true, helpful place.
• They flee when faced with danger, which mirrors how humans flee emotionally.
• As a herd they have a family/hierarchical set up, which reflects many of our social/work sets ups.
• They are masters of relationships and desire peace in relationships.
• They are congruent with emotions and the environment’
• They are accessible, and human beings often are happy to be around them.
• They are fun and open in loving, which most people respond to, and, if they don’t, it’s something that may be dealt with in the therapeutic process.

Horses and Humans

Horses are reflectors in that they mirror our behaviour, words and feelings. They read the physiological, psychological and spiritual state of individuals around them and respond. Through this, they create an intrinsic learning for clients and awaken consciousness; they inspire, accept, enlighten, empower, transform and awaken our soul through nurturing and guidance.

Horses adapt to an environment, which is something that humans need to do to live and excel in our environment.

Who Benefits and How?

Clients include children, adults, couples, families and corporates.

One could potentially choose this therapy when talking seems difficult; with a child who has an illness; a child experiencing difficulties with peers at school; a child finding it difficult to maintain control, be it of their emotions, their work, themselves; abuse; families and step-families; bullies; lack of self-confidence; fears; and when something in your life is not working and you are not quite sure what to do.

This form of therapy builds coherence in teams, relationships and families. It also assists with self-esteem and developing the self-concept; decisions and choices; shifting patterns that are unhelpful; it enables problem solving skills; and teaches out of the box thinking. It also holds the client’s attention, so may be helpful where concentration is seen to be a problem. 

It is goal orientated and specific, so is a safe way to reveal hidden emotions, dynamics and issues; while also providing the client with the space to just be and hence explore solutions. As the horses react to what the client says, or perhaps even doesn’t, it enables an internal locus of control. It shifts dysfunctional/unhelpful patterns into functional/healthy, effective behaviour.

What to Expect?

The first few interactions will occur with the mental health professional in an office space. The current issue will be discussed and the therapist will then introduce EAP.

For the actual EAP session, the client will be introduced to the horse specialist, who has a deep understanding of horse behaviour. The client will then be taken to the arena where one or more horses will be and the therapist will give them a task to do involving horses.

The therapist and the horse specialist may reflect to you what the horse is doing, or perhaps will ask you what you think the horse is trying to tell you; remembering that horses are mirrors and are non-judgemental. The horse merely responds to your level of congruency and inner needs; so if the horse moves away, it’s an indication that something needs to be changed. Make the change and the horse will change the response.

Dance of Horse

Through this gentle dance of horse, client, therapist and horse specialist, the client develops an intrinsic awareness of self and the solution to their problem. Given that it is also visual (they have seen the horse’s reaction), the reactions that they then get in the world as they engage with people make sense and they are gently able to transform the dance among horses to the dance within themselves and with others.

For corporates and families, they are given a task to complete as a team and the reflections by the therapists and the mirrors by the horses are relevant to individuals as well as the working of the system.