Working with animals creates a unique opportunity for people to find healing in themselves. Equine therapy is just that: working with, learning from, and taking care of horses. The benefits of equine therapy are numerous, and each person takes away something special from this type of experience. This type of therapy is one of the services we offer to teens receiving mental health treatment at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery. To learn more about the treatment options, please contact our team today at 866.300.5275.
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy allows a person to work with horses, something that many teens and adults enjoy doing. During this type of treatment, a person works one-on-one with the horse, feeding and caring for it. At first, this may include feeding the horse or leading it from one area to the next. Over time, a person engages in more care for the horses. They may learn to groom and saddle the course, and some may learn to ride. Advanced safety training and practices are always in place to minimize any risk.
How Animal Caretaking Plays a Role in Healing
How does this type of care relate to managing mental health disorders or substance use? Equine-assisted therapy enables a person to notice and correct dysfunctional patterns of thoughts and beliefs about themselves and their world. The interaction between horses and a person helps to uncover these patterns. These animals offer a wide range of opportunities:
- They work to boost self-esteem.
- People learn problem-solving skills.
- They learn to trust their instincts and feel good about the decisions they make.
- Communication skills improve.
- Equine therapy can introduce stress management and patience.
Not everyone is instantly excited about engaging in this type of therapy. Yet, the benefits of equine therapy quickly become evident. Even those shy or intimidated by these large, powerful animals, over time, it becomes possible to trust them. That in itself is one of the benefits of this type of therapy for many teens.
How Teens Can Benefit from Animal Caretaking
When teens engage in animal caretaking like this, they learn about themselves and others. Animal therapy is a good way for them to open up and be honest with themselves. That’s often difficult in peer groups or individual therapy for some people. For teens, the three big benefits of equine therapy typically include:
- Learning to adapt, problem-solve, and deal with stressors quickly and effectively. This is a skill they can apply to daily life later.
- Improved emotional awareness is possible since horses often reflect the same type of emotional feelings towards people around them.
- Independence and self-confidence also come from taking care of an animal, and over time, that can develop into stronger social relationships.
This type of therapy can help those teens struggling with past trauma, substance use disorders, emotional disorders, and behavioral problems. It can also help those dealing with chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Embrace Recovery with Foothills at Red Oak
By providing comprehensive teen therapy services, Foothills at Red Oak Recovery can offer them a new way to look at the world around them. Our holistic therapy programs and resources encourage healing, boost physical health, and tackle some of the most common problems teens have. It also teaches them how to manage symptoms and stress effectively. We offer a range of additional programs, including:
- Family therapy programs
- Equine therapy programs
- Academic assessment and support
- Holistic healing services
- Trauma treatment programs
An investment in equine therapy creates an opportunity for healing. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, our team works closely with teens to develop an individualized program designed to meet their goals. Learn more about how our therapy works when you call 866.300.5275 or connect with us online.
