Horses are big, beautiful creatures. Many love them and those who don’t are still in awe of them. Their majesty is undeniable and yet there is something so calming about them. Considering this, imagine using horses in therapy for those who have struggled with substance use. This odd juxtaposition of steadfast animals and struggling humans just might help to create lasting recovery. That is the magic of equine therapy.
What is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic method that is used in the treatment of substance use. It is not just riding horses to have a different experience. Therapists teach participants all about the horses and they learn how to care for them, too.
This is experiential therapy, in which therapy is happening during a hands-on activity. Many participants prefer experiential therapy, such as equine therapy, because they are distracted and in the moment instead of focusing on talking about substances. Additionally, they often feel a sense of responsibility and usefulness as a result of the experience. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) on equine therapy, participants were more likely to maintain their treatment for substance use because they enjoyed the equine therapy. Working with the horses made them want to stay in treatment.
Meaningful Activity
When we are coming off of drugs and/or alcohol, we may feel worthless and useless. Having the opportunity to learn about horses and engage with them in meaningful ways gives us a sense of worth and purpose. Participants realize that as domesticated animals, horses are dependent upon humans to care for them. To be a part of that helps us to feel useful again.
The activity is not just about feeling useful, though. It is about stepping up and taking responsibility for something besides ourselves. This is something we may not have done for a long time, as taking responsibility is not a typical trait of someone while in active addiction. There is magical healing in learning about creatures who may seem big and scary but quickly become wise and trusted companions. We may think we are serving them, but in the end, they teach us so much more.
Change of Focus
Working with horses is a welcome change of focus. Instead of focusing so much on ourselves and our substance use, we are outside, working hands-on with beautiful animals. Just like children who report that P.E. or lunchtime are their favorite subjects because they offer a break from the monotony of sitting at desks and writing, moving the focus from traditional to experiential therapy is a nice change of pace.
Another benefit of getting to the stables and being outdoors is that participants tend to feel like regular people when they are there, instead of feeling like addicts and/or alcoholics. More specifically, participants explain that most of the time they are acutely aware of the shame and guilt associated with their addictions, as that is where the focus typically stays during treatment. However, when they get outside with the horses, they feel like human beings again. Finally, there is a place where they can be themselves and let the pain of addiction go for a while.
Creating Attachment
As injured human beings, our substance use may have left us devoid of attachment to others. At the very least, it damaged our attachment styles. However, in the stables, the horses don’t know about our past or pass judgment. They accept our help and our friendship, regardless of who we are or how we identify ourselves. As a result, we are given the opportunity to practice attachment to living beings in a way that feels safe and supported.
The patient-horse relationship is key in equine therapy. Many participants have reported that they felt like the animals were a source of emotional support for them while in treatment, as a result of the attachments formed. For those of us who are non-verbal or have struggled to communicate with others regarding our treatment process, we find that we often experience an innate way of communicating with the horses. In turn, they help us to unlock emotions and healing opportunities that we would not have accessed in traditional forms of talk therapy.
The Magic of Motivation
Something magical happens when addicts and alcoholics take the time to connect and work with horses during equine therapy. Regardless of our personal stance on the creatures, the result of the experience is almost always positive. We engage in meaningful activities, embrace the shift in focus, and learn to create positive attachments to animals that we may never have expected to meet, especially not in treatment.
Consequently, we become motivated to give our best, to find our healing, and become better people. Why do these things happen? We believe that it is because of the magic of the horses. There is something truly inspiring about working with them that makes us want to be responsible again. Connecting with animals in therapeutic ways makes the process of recovery easy and gentle.
Animals offer comfort and companionship, while requiring minimal talking and thinking. The experience is organic and peaceful, a welcomed break in the often tiring work of addiction recovery. Time with the horses brings out the best in us. They prove to us that we can be more, do more, and recover.
At Rancho Milagro Recovery, we offer equine therapy as part of our treatment program. Our horses are rescued and are willing to accept your kindness, providing peaceful wisdom and patience while you heal. Call (951) 526-4582 today to find out how you can experience the magic of equine therapy.