Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Using horses to help people better understand themselves is based on a unique system called Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning. We recently saw a perfect example when a sixteen year-old "tough guy" faced off in a round pen with a previously abused horse. The goal sounds easy - walk up to to the horse and hug his neck. The rules: you can't talk and you can't use a halter or lead rope.

The horse wasn't impressed with the young man's expensive sneakers, his backward hat or his gang signs, and the young man, full of anger, couldn't find a way to communicate with the horse.

A hour later, after throwing away all the false fronts he had created, after showing the horse that he, too, was afraid and angry, the horse finally stood still. The young man walked up to the horse, stroked his face, put his arms around the horse's neck and broke down in tears.

"No one ever accepted me for just being me," he told me later. "People always yelled at me because I couldn't live up to their standards." If the horse could talk, I bet he would say the same thing.

EAP is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning. EAP is a short term effort between a therapist and a horse professional. The participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, then processing feelings, behaviors and patterns. Much like the "ropes" course, EAP has the added dynamics of horses with personalities, attitudes and moods as unique as those of the individuals involved. Because of this, EAP produces endless experiences and situations for discussion, analysis and learning.

Habitat for Horses has five Certified EAP Level One Instructors and Therapists. We offer outpatient therapy, including individual, group and family therapy services. Call us if you, your clients or your organization would like to learn more about this exciting experience.

If you would like more information, please call us at 409.935.0277.

Please note:
1) We are not open to the general public.
2) All visitors must schedule an appointment. We asked that you not "just drop by."
3) There are times when we have a "lockdown," when no volunteers can enter the
    property, mainly due to a seizure in progress or an emergency situation.
4) Everyone must sign liability release forms, without exception.

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