FAQ

FAQ 1: What is Equine-Assisted work?

Equine-Assisted work refers to any type of practice in which horses are a part of the process. It can include equine-assisted physical therapy (also known as “therapeutic riding”), equine-assisted teambuilding seminars, equine-assisted spiritual explorations, and equine-assisted mental health work.

FAQ 2: What is Equine-Assisted Mental Health work?

Equine-Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) work is a specialized branch of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) that exclusively works with horses to address mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, behavioral difficulties, addictions, and self-esteem. Both EAMH and AAT are rapidly growing fields and in the last two decades have been subject to increasing scientific scrutiny and research studies.

FAQ 3: “What difference does it make to have horses involved?”

There are a lot of different theories on what exactly equines bring to therapeutic work.  At Equinox Therapeutic, we see many different types of benefits.  For some, the horse may simply be motivation to show up and continue to do the work required for therapeutic progress.  Others may find that the horse effectively provides a “mirror” for their own feelings and behaviours, and thus become able to examine their own selves through examining the horse. Often, relational challenges are worked through as an individual works through the steps of building a relationship with the horse, including developing trust, setting and maintaining boundaries, offering and receiving forgiveness for mistakes, risk-taking, and a sense of loving and being loved.  Some individuals may find that they are able to bond with a horse in a way that provides the basis for the first non-threatening, non-judgemental relationship they have ever experienced.  Typically, it is a combination of all of these, and many more benefits that your own unique self will bring out, that are experienced by our clients through equine-assisted work.

FAQ 4: “I’ve never been around horses before. Can I still benefit from equine-assisted work?”

Absolutely! There is literally no horse experience required to receive the full benefits of equine-assisted work. Your therapist is highly experienced in working with horses and will ensure that you are safe at all times. Over time, you will gain knowledge about horses so that you can keep yourself safe too. Through EAMH work, you will learn about horses, including how to tell what kinds of messages they are communicating to you. And if EAMH is a good fit for you, you will learn a lot about yourself too!

FAQ 5: “I am an avid horse person who has lots of experience with horses. Does this mean that I will be better suited to EAMH work than I would be to office-based therapy?”

Not necessarily. If you love to be around horses, you may be especially motivated to come and do the work involved in EAMH, which could make this setting a good fit for you. However, the way we work with horses in EAMH is usually quite different from the way most horse people work with their horses…in fact, you may feel like you are seeing horses “for the first time” again! Ultimately, the setting you choose to work in will depend upon what feels best in accordance with the challenges you are currently facing.

FAQ 6: “Does the EAMH work cost more than office-based therapy?”

Due to the cost of the care of the horses, our EAMH work costs $35 more per session than office-based work. This is a constant fee that applies to all sliding scale rates.

FAQ 7: “What results can I expect from therapy?”

Psychotherapy, like most endeavours in the helping professions, is not an exact science. While the ultimate purpose of psychotherapy is to reduce distress and contribute to a healthy lifestyle through a process of personal change, like life itself, there are no guarantees!  The process of psychotherapy usually involves working through tough personal issues that can sometimes result in some emotional or psychological pain for the client while the challenges are being addressed. Change will sometimes be easy and swift, and sometimes it will be slow and may be even frustrating.

At Equinox Therapeutic, we absolutely believe that change is possible. We are committed to doing our utmost to support you in making your own changes, whatever they may be.