Connection to mind and body through equine assisted therapy

I said goodbye as I closed the gate after my client left the outdoor paddock/"therapy office" where we meet and I released a long exhale. I was exhausted. I had originally planned to exercise my horse after the therapy sessions that day but as I checked in with myself I felt a heaviness in my tired body that was begging me to slow down. 

I had two options: power through or pause and listen. (My journey with getting to place where I can ask such a question is another story for another time.) I chose to pause and listen.  

So I grabbed a book and my journal, walked to the center of the paddock and plopped down in the dirt. As I began reading, Wildflower, (my 9 year old bay Half Arabian mare) was meandering around at the far end nibbling on grass. I took note of her distance and felt curious but not surprised by the incongruent emotional energy she was mirroring back to me (more on this later). I continued reading and then, something from my book resonated. I felt my body energy shift, I put down my book and started journaling. As soon as I switched from reading to journaling, Molly lifted her head up from the ground and looked at me as if I had called her name—I had not—she calmly walked from the far corner right up to where I was sitting crosslegged on the ground and stood directly behind me with her knees to my back as if to give me a back rest. I went from being emotionally distant and incongruent to a state of coherence and Wildflower felt it. She offered a grounding presence that validated and confirmed this connection between my mind and heart. My embodied state allowed me to become aware and enjoy the warm breeze in the air and the pleasant sound of birds chirping. The world around me came into focus, I took in the beauty of the North Cascade mountains, the cows grazing in the next pasture over, the feeling of Wildflower’s breath in my hair. I was fully present.

Once I was in my body, I felt the pressure to “do” melt away, I gave myself permission to rest and I ended up lying in the dirt for hours and she stood right there with me the whole time. It was a deeply connected moment of presence and attunement without any words. I left that evening feeling rejuvenated and full of deep gratitude at the simplicity of it all. 

So, what happened exactly? And what is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?

Horses, as highly intuitive and sensitive beings, have a remarkable ability to mirror and respond to human emotions. Through their nonverbal communication and gentle presence, horses create a judgement-free, supportive environment for individuals to explore their emotions and develop a deeper connection with their bodies.

Connection to the Body and Emotional Intelligence:
Research conducted by the HeartMath Institute highlights the intricate relationship between emotions and the body. They have discovered that emotions are not merely abstract feelings but rather physiological responses that impact our overall well-being and others. By cultivating a strong connection to the body, individuals can enhance their emotional intelligence and develop greater self-awareness and self-regulation that can also be felt by others in their space.

Equine-assisted therapy provides a unique platform for this exploration. As clients engage with horses, they become more attuned to the subtle physical sensations within their bodies. Horses act as mirrors, reflecting our emotions and providing immediate feedback. As clients interact with horses, they observe how their emotions impact the space beyond themselves through observing the impact on the horse's behavior and body language. This tangible representation of their internal experiences helps individuals gain insights into their emotional patterns.

Building Trust and Authenticity:
Equine-assisted therapy also fosters the development of trust and authenticity. Horses are highly perceptive and can detect incongruence between what we say and how we feel. Through working with horses, clients learn to align their thoughts, emotions, and actions, developing a greater sense of coherence, congruence and authenticity.

In the realm of therapy, cultivating connection to the body is a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. Equine-assisted therapy, offers individuals a profound opportunity to explore and strengthen this connection. By engaging with horses, clients develop greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the capacity for authentic and meaningful connections. The therapeutic journey becomes a dance of self-discovery, guided by the wisdom and sensitivity of our equine partners.

You don't have to have a horse to experience this though, you can start practicing coherence by listening to your body and noticing when you feel calm and connected to the world around you.

Written by Kelsey Law