Therapy does not always have to happen from a chair. Clayton Counseling has partnered with Dillard Stables to offer equine-assisted therapy in a peaceful mountain setting.
With a therapist’s guidance, clients can interact with horses while practicing skills connected to calm, trust, communication, boundaries, confidence, and resilience. No horse experience is required. Participation begins with clinical and safety screening, and activities are tailored to each client’s needs and treatment goals.
What Is Equine-Assisted Therapy?
Equine-assisted therapy is a form of experiential mental health treatment that incorporates interactions with horses into the counseling process.
Depending on the client’s needs and treatment goals, sessions may include observing horses, grooming, leading, completing structured activities, or building a relationship with a horse. Riding may not be included.
Each activity has a therapeutic purpose and is guided by a qualified mental health professional. The experience may help clients notice their emotions and body responses, practice healthy communication, build confidence, and try new ways of responding to challenges.
No previous experience with horses is required.
Why Horses?
Horses are highly aware of movement, emotions, consistency, and boundaries. They respond to what is happening in the moment, providing clients with immediate and observable feedback.
With the support of a therapist, working alongside a horse can create opportunities to:
- Practice grounding and emotional regulation
- Build trust and connection
- Strengthen confidence and self-awareness
- Communicate needs more clearly
- Develop healthy boundaries
- Improve patience and frustration tolerance
- Practice flexibility and problem-solving
- Recognize patterns in relationships
- Experience a sense of accomplishment
The goal is not to control the horse. Instead, clients learn how awareness, communication, trust, and consistency can influence the connection.
A Different Way to Practice Emotional Regulation
It can be difficult to use coping skills when emotions become intense. Equine-assisted therapy gives clients an opportunity to practice those skills in a supportive, real-world setting.
Clients may learn to notice changes in their breathing, muscle tension, thoughts, or energy while interacting with a horse. The therapist can then help the client slow down, ground themselves, and try a different response.
These experiences can help clients carry new skills into their homes, schools, workplaces, and relationships.
Who May Benefit?
Equine-assisted therapy may be appropriate for children, adolescents, adults, and families working through:
- Anxiety or persistent worry
- Trauma and stressful experiences
- Grief and loss
- Low confidence or self-esteem
- Difficulty managing strong emotions
- Frustration or impulsivity
- Relationship or communication challenges
- Difficulty trusting others
- Life transitions
- Challenges with boundaries
- Feelings of disconnection or isolation
Equine-assisted therapy can be especially engaging for clients who find it difficult to sit still, talk directly about their experiences, or remain engaged in traditional office-based counseling.
Participation is based on each client’s clinical needs, treatment goals, comfort level, and ability to safely participate.
Equine-Assisted Therapy for Children and Teens
Some children and teenagers communicate more easily when they are moving, exploring, and completing meaningful activities.
Working with horses may give young clients a developmentally appropriate way to practice:
- Recognizing and expressing emotions
- Managing frustration
- Following directions
- Communicating clearly
- Respecting boundaries
- Building confidence
- Slowing down before reacting
- Recovering from mistakes
- Developing trust and responsibility
The therapist helps connect what happens during the activity to challenges the young person may be experiencing at home, at school, or in relationships.
Trauma-Informed Equine Therapy
Trauma can affect a person’s sense of safety, trust, choice, control, and connection.
Equine-assisted therapy may provide a gentle way to explore these areas without requiring clients to describe every detail of a painful experience. Clients are encouraged to move at their own pace, make choices, communicate their boundaries, and participate only in activities that support their treatment goals.
Our approach emphasizes emotional and physical safety, collaboration, choice, respect, and empowerment.
What Happens During a Session?
Every session is different because activities are selected according to the client’s needs and treatment goals.
A session may include:
- Meeting with the therapist to identify a goal for the session.
- Learning relevant safety expectations.
- Participating in a structured activity with or near a horse.
- Noticing emotions, thoughts, physical reactions, and relationship patterns.
- Processing the experience with the therapist.
- Identifying how the new insight or skill can be used in everyday life.
Equine-assisted therapy is not the same as a trail ride, recreational horseback riding, or a riding lesson. It is mental health treatment connected to an individualized counseling plan.
Do I Have to Ride a Horse?
No. Many meaningful equine-assisted therapy activities take place entirely on the ground.
Activities may involve observing, approaching, grooming, leading, problem-solving, or completing structured exercises with a horse. Any activities offered will depend on the program structure, treatment goals, stable policies, and the client’s ability to participate safely.
Clients will never be expected to participate in an activity simply because it is offered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience with horses?
No. Previous horse or riding experience is not required. Clients receive instructions and support throughout the experience.
Is equine-assisted therapy appropriate for everyone?
No single therapy approach is appropriate for every person. A Clayton Counseling therapist will consider the client’s goals, clinical needs, physical needs, comfort around animals, allergies, and safety considerations before recommending participation.
Is this the same as horseback riding?
No. Equine-assisted therapy is a mental health service guided by a therapist and connected to clinical treatment goals. Recreational riding and riding lessons focus primarily on horsemanship or riding skills.
Will I have to talk about my trauma?
Clients are not required to share every detail of a traumatic experience. The therapist will work at the client’s pace and focus on safety, choice, regulation, and the goals established for treatment.
Can my child participate?
Children and adolescents may be eligible after a clinical and safety screening. The therapist will consider the child’s developmental needs, treatment goals, ability to follow safety directions, and comfort around horses.
What should I wear?
Clients should wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather and closed-toe shoes. Additional clothing and safety instructions will be provided before the first session.
Is equine-assisted therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage may depend on the client’s insurance plan, the services provided, and the structure of the program. Clayton Counseling will explain the fees and available payment options before scheduling.
What happens if there is bad weather?
Because sessions may take place outdoors, weather can affect scheduling. Clients will receive information about cancellations, rescheduling, and available alternatives before participating.
Is Equine-Assisted Therapy Right for You?
Current Clayton Counseling clients are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with their therapist. Together, you can consider whether equine-assisted therapy supports your treatment goals and whether you can participate safely.
If you are not currently a client, contact Clayton Counseling to schedule an intake conversation and learn more about our available services.
Space may be limited, and participation requires clinical and safety screening.
Take Your Next Step
Discover a different way to build calm, confidence, trust, and connection.
[Schedule an Intake Call]
Clayton Counseling LLC
(706) 619-1374
claytoncounselingllc@gmail.com
claytoncounselingllc.com
Equine-assisted therapy is provided as part of an individualized mental health treatment plan. Potential benefits vary, and participation does not guarantee a particular clinical outcome.