EAP, an Overview

You may ask, what exactly IS Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?

The simple answer is that it is a mental health therapy session that incorporates horses into the session. There is less talk and more hands-on activities. Folks learn more about their approach to different situations, and are allowed to explore new ways to do things, so they can transfer that knowledge and experience into their lives outside the arena. You could think of it as using the metaphors created in the play and activities with the horses that are meaningful. 

We often tell new clients that they will not be told 'what to do'. Within the first or second session, however, we find people asking what to do. We encourage them to explore new ways of problem solving and new ways to communicate since horses don't speak English. Horses rely on reading body language and other messages from non-equids in order to survive. Our horses respond to hearing a squirrel chirp. As far as I know, they don't speak squirrel, they just have an instinct that something is wrong, and need to keep an eye out when they hear this sound.

In any given activity, there might be one or more of the following 'rules': 

1. No halters or lead ropes
2. No touching the horse
3. No bribing the horse or pretending to have food
4. No talking
5. (and most importantly) Anything else you CAN do.

For some reason, the 5th rule is the hardest for everyone to remember, until they have participated in a few sessions. 

All activities are done on the ground, so there is no riding, or horse experience needed. Every session has two humans facilitating. These are the licensed (or license eligible) therapist, and the equine professional. The therapist is primarily there to be sure that treatment goals are being met, and that emotional safety is present. The equine professional or equine specialist (either name is good) is there to develop relevant activities to help the participant attain their treatment goals, to incorporate the horse into the session, and maintain physical safety for everyone.

Activities can vary from an observation activity to grooming, or getting the horse to move or stand still. Activities can be held in an arena, round pen, paddock, pasture, or really any area that meets the client's needs. 

The thing to know is that EAP is very difficult to understand until you have actually seen or experienced it. At this point, you probably get the basic gist of the work, but knowing horses and the amazing power they have to heal is something you have to see in person to really appreciate. 

One of our volunteers, Gay, with a mare, Destiny

Demonstrations are a great place to see this work. Fresh Steps EAP offers demonstrations throughout the year, and hopes to have demonstrations in other areas of Montana. Send an email if you would like to be added to our mailing list. Get involved! We have a strong volunteer program, and encourage you to help out, and get some fun time with the horses.