The motto of Equest: “Humans. Horses. Hope”, is the reality of the nonprofit’s mission since 1981, where people of all ages, abilities and goals work with horses to capitalize on the ability within them to overcome disability. The impact of the human-horse connection transforms lives through therapeutic horsemanship as clients from 2 to 90 take their first steps, speak their first words and even overcome the grip of anxiety through equine-assisted programs.

For adolescents impacted by COVID, veterans, first responders and others, the rise of mental health crises is at an all-time high. At Equest, equine-facilitated mental health counseling brings relief and new coping skills to those seeking help. Horses can assist in the process of addressing emotional challenges such as anger, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociative or other emotional problems. In general, being around horses, whether riding, grooming or just being in their presence, increases empathy, self-confidence, social skills, trust and emotional regulation. It helps establish routines, structure and a sense of responsibility; all skills that are transferable to daily life.

Equine-facilitated mental health sessions involve a client and a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist that keeps the horse and client safe and help interpret the horse’s feedback to the client, and a horse (or even a herd). Horses are relationship-oriented and intuitively sense and honestly respond to the emotions of those around them, which makes the horse-human bond a powerful healing mechanism. Sometimes a horse will step in to ‘protect’ clients when they are feeling vulnerable or try to regulate the anxious client by breathing, yawning or nuzzling.

According to Dr. Yuval Neria, a professor of medical psychology and director of the Columbia University PTSD program, “One must build trust with a horse for it to warm to you. Both clients dealing with trauma and horses are preoccupied with ongoing concerns about trust and safely. This innovative therapy facilitates bonding, overcoming fear and reestablishing confidence.”

Horses have similar emotions to humans—they can get stressed out, happy or impatient—or be present and focus solely on what is going on around them. They do not think about the future or the past, or judge people based on what they look like or what experiences they may have had. That is why equine-assisted services are so popular. Beyond working as “co-therapists” for emotional issues, horses are excellent for occupational, physical and speech therapy.

Christine Volkmer is the director of advancement at Equest. For more information, call 214-794-5498 or visit Equest.org.