Equine-Assisted Therapy

Equine-assisted therapy offers a powerful, holistic approach to healing for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and co-occurring conditions. This hands-on, experiential therapy allows clients to engage with horses as a unique path toward emotional growth and recovery. While the goals mirror traditional therapy—such as self-reflection, emotional regulation, stress management, and building responsibility—working with horses fosters deeper connection and insight.

Footprints to Recovery is a leading addiction and mental health treatment provider offering innovative and transformative approaches for lasting healing. Our partnership with the Kindle Hill Foundation is another example of our commitment to exceptional care.

What Is Equine-Assisted Therapy?

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is a group therapy program through Footprints to Recovery that uses the horse-human connection in the recovery process. Horses are incredibly empathetic and intelligent creatures that mirror humans’ emotions back to them. Thus, their role in holistic therapy has been well-studied to have proven advantages. The basis of Equine-assisted therapy is working with horses and engaging in self-reflection through dialogue between the client and therapist. Notably, equine-assisted therapy is often group programming led by a holistic therapist. During and after sessions, therapists lead their group members in meaningful reflection about the process of caring for horses. Equine-assisted therapy consists of grooming, feeding, and leading horses and may or may not include actual riding. The main focus is on the bond between horse and human, not the physical activity of riding.

Equine-assisted therapy is most effective when used in conjunction with other evidence-based therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and experiential therapy. At Footprints to Recovery, we ensure clients receive the best combination of traditional and holistic therapy.

About the Kindle Hill Foundation

Kindle Hill Foundation is a non-profit Pennsylvania organization that offers equine-assisted programs at their farm. They offer equine-assisted learning that encourages personal growth and development. This program is between an individual or group and a trained counselor. Additionally, they offer equine-assisted therapy with a mental health focus for those who struggle with mental illness. Lastly, they provide an equine-assisted program for veterans and first responders who are recovering from PTSD and trauma disorders. Our partnership with the Kindle Hill Foundation allows our clients to experience the benefits of horse therapy in a safe and supportive setting.

The Equine Experience Program

The Equine Experience 12-Session Curriculum is a structured equine-assisted therapy program designed to foster personal growth and emotional well-being through guided interactions with horses. Over 12 weeks, participants build trust, develop empathy, and refine communication skills by learning to interpret non-verbal cues and respond to their horses’ behaviors. The program encourages participants to practice mindfulness, optimism, and self-care, helping them navigate emotional challenges and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Activities are structured around themes such as gratitude, patience, honesty, and resilience, with hands-on exercises that mirror real-life situations, allowing participants to draw meaningful parallels between their interactions with horses and their personal growth journey.

Each session includes a specific theme and related activities, such as leading horses through obstacle courses to symbolize overcoming challenges, engaging in trust-building exercises, and practicing self-awareness through mindful walking. The curriculum highlights key life lessons such as adapting to others’ needs, fostering non-judgmental understanding, and embracing personal choices with confidence. By the program’s conclusion, participants are encouraged to set personal growth intentions and apply their newfound skills in daily life. Through experiential learning, the program helps individuals build resilience, self-awareness, and emotional balance, making it a valuable approach for those seeking healing, self-improvement, and enhanced emotional intelligence.

What Can Equine-Assisted Therapy Treat?

There are a wide variety of disorders that can be holistically treated through Equine-assisted therapy. These include behavioral disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. We understand each client is different and requires unique recovery programming. Therapy with horses offers many benefits for people from all walks of life. It allows the individual to connect with themself and their horse on a deeper level.

Equine-assisted therapy is an effective treatment for the following disorders:

Substance use disorder (SUD)

Alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Anxiety

Depression

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Neurological and developmental disorders

Attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Equine-assisted therapy is also beneficial for those with co-occurring disorders, when both a mental disorder and substance use disorder are present in a diagnosis.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a prevalent issue around the world that is worsened by social norms and pressures around drinking. Individuals can develop an alcohol addiction in a short amount of time spent forming unhealthy drinking patterns. There are varying degrees of alcohol addiction that range from moderate to severe. For example, you can have a history of binge drinking, alcohol abuse, or an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is most severe. Horse therapy can have a transformative effect on substance addiction.

Drug Addiction

Drug abuse is also a widespread concern. In fact, drug overdose is the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Individuals develop an addiction to drugs because of the powerful effect substances have on the brain. By altering brain chemistry and stimulating the reward system, the body soon becomes dependent on drugs to function. The best way to overcome substance addiction is through a treatment provider. Yet, even once you have achieved base sobriety, there is much emotional pain to work through. Equine programming offers clients a safe space to heal from their addiction trauma.

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioids are natural and synthetic drugs that derive from the opium poppy plant. They are strong pain-relieving drugs that should only be used as prescribed by medical professionals. This is due to their incredibly addictive properties. Yet, the opioid crisis has risen in severity. There has been an increasing amount of overdose deaths linked to opioids since 2009. Undeniably, they are one of the most addictive and damaging substances with disastrous results on the population.

Stimulant Addiction

Stimulants, also called “uppers,’ have an energizing and stimulating effect on the central nervous system. They are often abused in order to receive mental stimulation, energy, and a sense of greater confidence in social situations. Yet, they can become addictive in a short amount of time.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription medications are a popular black market drug. They can be properly sourced through a medical provider for the treatment of a condition, but some misuse their prescription. Others use prescription drugs to experience a high. Opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants can all be prescribed. Yet, because they are so habit-forming, they can cause destruction in one’s life.

Hallucinogenic Drug Abuse

Hallucinogens are psychoactive drugs that produce a mind-bending high. Individuals usually use psychedelic drugs for the shift in their consciousness and mood. Yet, hallucinogens can be unpredictable in their effects and may cause paranoia, hallucinations, and anxiety. These drugs can also cause psychological dependence.

Equine-Assisted Learning

Equine-assisted learning is another term that falls under Equine-assisted therapy. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, as both refer to the same process of reflection while caretaking for horses. Equine-assisted learning more specifically refers to the therapeutic element of horse therapy. Sessions focus on growth, development, and healing while participating in horse care. Because it doesn’t include a riding component, it’s safe for all ages and backgrounds, including people with neurological challenges.

First Responder Equine-Assisted Program 

There is a link between veteran healing and equine-assisted therapy. This evidence-based therapy is shown to offer many benefits for those with trauma disorders like PTSD. In this case, the trust-building element is crucial. Veterans and first responders find a safe space and animal with which to let their guard down and be vulnerable. Equine-assisted therapy can assist in breakthrough for veterans, as they can finally allow themselves to open up and unpack the emotions and memories rooted in experienced trauma.

What To Expect in Equine-Assisted Therapy Sessions

A typical Equine-assisted therapy session will have the individual working through basic caretaking activities such as grooming, feeding, or leading the horse around an enclosure. Throughout the sessions, clients are always accompanied by their equine specialist counselor, who will prompt them into self-reflection. Yet, horse therapy sessions can be quiet, calm, and relaxing, with little talking involved. Typically, if the client prefers time spent in their thoughts, they will have a follow-up discussion afterward. In these recaps, the therapist will ask questions about what happened, what insights were gained, and what emotions surfaced.

Benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy

Equine-assisted therapy is goal-directed to be a fulfilling experience for the individual. They can accomplish a variety of activities and exercises with their horse. Notably, one of the key elements of equine-assisted therapy is the bond the person forms with the animal. Essentially, they begin to view themselves through the horse’s eyes as capable, reliable, in control, and trustworthy. In the same way, the client begins to trust and bond with their horse. Equine-assisted therapy can be compared to biofeedback, a holistic therapy that allows you to track your body functions through electrical pads that share information. In this case, the horse acts as the mirror, providing the client with feedback about their actions. For example, they may see themselves reflected as strong and assertive.

From time spent at the stables with their horse, individuals connect to a non-judgmental and unbiased creature. As they track their emotional responses through the horse’s reactions, they form self-awareness and mindfulness. Throughout the process, they receive additional benefits of reducing stress, finding trust in vulnerability, growing their self-reliance, and physical activity.

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