Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an interactive approach in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning (EAGALA, 2004).
What Happens in an EAP Session? Clients are given a task to complete using one or more horses. Tasks can include catching and haltering a horse, walking a maze with a horse, constructing an obstacle course for the horse to go through, or just getting a horse to jump over a pole. These tasks can be achieved through using skills such as creative thinking, verbal and non-verbal communication, teamwork, confidence, assertiveness, positive attitude, leadership and taking responsibility, to name only a few. How is this therapy? While working with horses can be fun, it can also be a very intense and powerful experience. Think about getting a 900 pound horse to stop eating, so you can put his halter on! How would you react to this stress? How would you cope with the frustration of him not listening to you telling him to "lift your head please"? These issues are not specific to horse situations. They can be translated into everyday situations. People will learn ways to deal with these normal situations in a safe and accepting environment. Tasks are goal oriented to promote growth, learning and self awareness. At the end of a session, the therapist, the horse professional and the client will discuss what happened during the session. This discussion leads to critical thinking, problem solving and changes in ones behaviors.

EAP can address a wide variety of mental health and life issues:
Depression ADHD/ADD Anxiety Adolescent Issues	Stress Divorce Loss Family Conflict	Oppositional Defiant Behavior Trauma School Difficulties

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Published on: 2006-10-03 (905 reads)