My first experience with Equine-facilitated therapy
I have almost completed my graduate experience at Naropa University and thankfully before it ended, I got into one of the first experiential equine-facilitated psychotherapy courses.
Our first weekend together with the horses was a magical experience. I intended to simply be a humble learner from those around me, including the other participants and the animals. This intention proved to go well beyond my expectations. My experience not only humbled me greatly, but I also walked away with the feeling that everyone should be allowed the privilege to experience this model of modality. It not only instantly puts you into the present moment, but you are presently aware of your actions, and how they affect you, those around you, and the animals. I was not nervous to be around the horses, even with their enormity. I was more nervous about the fact that I had never been in a therapeutic situation alongside them. My uncertainty in that arena (pun intended) was where my nervous system was on edge. The knowing that horses were sensitive, strong, and intuitive creatures was always there, but it had me often wondering how actual psychotherapy was done with them. Did the clients simply talk to the horses rather than a therapist? Were the horses conducting a version of CBT? This is the aspect where there was no way I could have the answer correct.
What did you learn about horses that surprised you?
“One of the most important ways in which we can truly honor the role of the horse in equine-facilitated practice is by fully embracing the idea that horses have boundaries” (Dunning, 2017). The boundaries that horses have were a surprise for me. My first encounter of the day was a lesson in this very thing when the first horse tested where mine was by gently bumping into me and I refused to move. My reason for this was that I truly thought the horse was showing me affection or love, but once Jackie asked me why I didn’t move, then explained that sometimes in our own lives, we are not concerned with our safety and do not take care of ourselves in that way. This hit home for me, realizing that historically I have put others’ needs ahead of mine. Horses can teach us a tremendous amount about our own boundaries too and through interactions with them, we can develop our boundary agility both for our own self-care and self-esteem, but also to engage more healthily with others, including the horses (Dunning, 2017).
What did you learn about yourself in relationship to working with them this past weekend?
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My biggest takeaway regarding relationship when working with the horses is to remain fully open and present. Staying with the present moment, especially with horses that do not know you and vice versa, allows for one to give space when needed as well as close that gap when invited. This translates well to any human relationship as well. Acceptance in this way of being helps relax your nervous system which also helps the congruence of the relationship. It is evidence that not one being or the other exerts any sort of power over the other, thus creating a field of respect for oneself and the other. Trotter explains in her book that acceptance is the way people value themselves as unique individuals with both strengths and flaws, and this is demonstrated by their willingness to engage fully with others in a positive and affirming manner (2012).
What did you witness happening with your peers and the horses?
Initially, I noticed the size of our group was just perfect (7–8). Any more people and/or personalities in the group could have proved to be too much. When contemplating equine-facilitated therapy in a group setting, this would be an integral consideration. Although there were several varying personality types, some more timid while others were more assertive, once we were in the round pen with the horses, those personalities seemed to merge into one. There was a respected space and time for all that were present. This requires much patience, a desire to allow others to go at their own pace, to not want to find solutions for others, and above all, not to impose your agenda or interpretation of someone else’s experience onto them (Dunning, 2017). In my observations of what was happening around me, the group truly embodied this philosophy to its fullest. My witnessing of my peers and the horses being fully in the present moment and bringing an heir of humility and honor for the experience at hand transcended time.
Conclusion
Many more questions will arise as I reflect, contemplate, and attend the next session of this beautiful experience, and I am aware that more will continue to arise. I do, however, believe in the power of equine-facilitated psychotherapy, and believe it can and will create such self-awareness and self-confidence within, the capacity for real, true change is inevitable. Being able to feel this type of palpable truth helps build self-awareness and increase relationship capacities in a way that may take years for other modalities.
References
Dunning, A. (2017). The horse leads the way: Honoring the true role of the horse in equine facilitated practice. YouCaxton Publications.
Trotter, K. (2012). Harnessing the power of Equine Assisted Counseling: Adding animal assisted therapy to your practice. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
