Equine Therapy for Psychedelic Preparation & Integration

As I stepped into the pasture, the scent of fresh-cut hay hit my nose, jolting a wave of nostalgia for the ponies I used to ride as a child. It had been years since I’d last been in the company of horses. But the calling to reunite with these large animals had come through loud and clear during an ayahuasca journey.

“The interaction between you and the horse creates an optimal container for other therapeutic processes to unfold, supporting preparation and integration of expanded states of conscience in deeply meaningful ways.”

— Allison Feduccia, PhD

I wasn’t quite sure what this insight was all about. Was the invitation for me to immerse in nature or connect on a different level with non-human species? I couldn’t say for sure, but soon after the journey, I found an ad for a local non-profit organization that rescues and rehabilitates horses. I thought this sounded like a place worth a visit! Little did I know that this would be the first step in a profound journey of self-discovery guided by my new horse allies.

Horses and Human Evolution

Historical Significance of Horses in Human Life

Since ancient times, horses have been part and parcel of the human experience. Cave drawings depict the intimate relationships between our human ancestors and wild horses. Since seemingly the beginning of time, horses have been integral to human day-to-day functioning, as well as the cultural and spiritual connections that have flourished around early homo sapiens and the majestic horses who accompanied us on our journey of evolution.

Throughout history, civilizations have evolved both literally and figuratively on the backs of horses. Horses were domesticated over 6,000 years ago, allowing for advancements in transportation, agriculture, and trade that were pivotal in shaping human society. Research shows that the origins of modern horses trace back to a breeding revolution that occurred about 4,200 years ago, which marked a shift in equine genetics and behavior, which also helped adapt horses for human uses like riding and work.

We have limited knowledge of how exactly horses contributed to our ancestors’ well-being, but it’s clear that the human-horse relationship has been symbiotic through the ages. The inclusion of horses for healing purposes is not a new concept. In various cultures, horses have served not only as work animals but also as companions that provide emotional support and facilitate connections among people. Equine-assisted therapies have gained popularity in recent years, showing that the bond between humans and horses can improve mental health, foster social skills, and even promote physical rehabilitation.

Therapeutic Benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy

We can further understand equine-assisted therapy through the lens of AI—animal intelligence, that is—yes, as a complement or even a balance to artificial intelligence. Animal intelligence, a skill that is readily apparent in horses, refers to animals’ innate ability to understand and respond to human emotions, behaviors, and social cues. Indeed, horses have a unique sense of empathy and intuition, which has fostered their ongoing close, practical, and therapeutic relationship with humans. This relationship could also offer a counterbalance to our increasingly digital world, largely defined by our screen addictions, feelings of isolation, and reliance on soulless artificial intelligence. Equine therapy, on the other hand, underscores the importance of connecting with another living being—for the sake of our mental health.

Research backs up what we know intuitively and through anecdotal evidence that spending time in nature and interacting with animals, like horses, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which may be exacerbated, on the other hand, by excessive screen time. In contrast to the detached nature of digital interactions, engaging with horses fosters authentic connections, encourages physical activity, and nurtures the mind and spirit. By integrating equine-assisted therapy into our lives, individuals can experience the benefits of both Animal Intelligence and the healing power of nature.

What is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy as an alternative therapeutic modality first emerged in the 1960s. Since then, researchers and practitioners have developed many approaches for clients with various health conditions. Grassroots initiatives get the credit for creating best practices and educating others on how to deliver these therapies. With so many proven physical and mental health benefits, the practice of equine therapy is becoming more widely adopted.

Starting in the 1960s, physical disabilities were initially the focus of equine interventions. Disabled children and adults who struggle to walk can still ride horses. The movement of the horse and engagement of the rider has many therapeutic benefits, from strengthening muscles to improving posture. The horse’s natural gait moves the rider’s pelvis in all three dimensions, similar to what happens when we walk. Compared to other physical therapies, the rhythmic sway is unique. It’s beneficial for building muscle tone and stimulating the nervous system, which can be underactive from injuries.

Riding a horse empowers clients with physical disabilities to have newfound mobility. Beyond personal autonomy to move one’s body, the positive impacts on mental health were so noticeable that this became a pursuit in itself. Especially for those with disabilities who may have mental health struggles that come along with their circumstance, equine therapy can promote emotional resilience. As such, with the positive impacts of equine therapy becoming increasingly apparent, interest is growing—yet it’s important to keep learning about this unique therapy. If you’re curious about equine therapy and want to learn more, consider exploring a course such as this one at Psychedelic Support.

What to Expect from the Course

Our course, Harnessing the Healing Power of Horses and Psychedelics, offers an opportunity to explore the powerful bond between horses and humans as a method for both preparation and integration of psychedelic experiences. Participants will learn how equine-assisted therapy can enhance emotional regulation, deepen self-awareness, and provide meaningful insights into personal healing. Through ten self-paced lessons, you’ll discover the healing potential of horses in a therapeutic setting, offering unique ways to apply insights from psychedelic journeys into everyday life. Join us to explore how these majestic creatures can serve as allies on your path to mental and emotional well-being.

Therapeutic Riding

Equine therapy for mental health has been expanding in recent years. New techniques and ways of working with horses, clients, and therapists are evolving into evidence-based practices. While there are different approaches, the essential elements are an open-minded client, a horse, and a provider team experienced in mental health and horsemanship.

Let’s explore how equine therapy works and what clients say about the experience.

How Does Equine Therapy Work for Mental Health?

Introduction to Equine Therapy

Therapists tailor equine therapy to the individual seeking care. The therapy provider first gets to know you, understands your personal history, and why you are seeking therapy. Common conditions where equine therapy can be helpful include ADHD, trauma processing, PTSD, depression, anger or bullying issues, addiction, anxiety, and autism. The interaction between you and the horse creates an optimal container for other therapeutic processes to play out. The therapy provider helps you explore emotions and thoughts through the experience with the horse.

Horses are highly sensitive creatures. They readily pick up on human emotions and act as a mirror back to the person engaging with them. If you approach a horse in a fearful or anxious state, the horse will display behaviors of anxiety. They may run away or make frazzled naying sounds in response to your energy. On the other hand, a horse can recognize when you are calm, grounded, and present. In such cases, the horse is more likely to approach you willingly, displaying relaxed behaviors such as soft eyes, lowered ears, or a calm stance. This responsiveness makes horses powerful partners in therapy, as they provide immediate, nonjudgmental feedback on a person’s emotional state. Working with horses encourages individuals to develop emotional awareness, regulate their feelings, and build trust through authentic, nonverbal communication. This dynamic can lead to profound personal insights and healing in a unique, experiential way.

The Therapeutic Process and Goals

In the context of therapy, therapists teach you to read these horse behaviors and to check in with how you are feeling in the present moment. What is my body posture communicating? How does the tone of my voice sound? Is my breathing constricted and my heart racing? Learning how to notice and adjust these patterns of verbal and non-verbal communication can improve interactions between humans, too.

Simply being with an animal that weighs 1,000+ pounds can make you feel vulnerable. It may cause feelings of fear to arise or act as a reminder of other significant obstacles in your life. However, these challenging states experienced in a safe, supportive setting can allow for deep therapeutic work to unfold.

The two-way conversation between you and the horse encourages the following:

• Focused attention
• Active listening
• Emotional regulation
• Slowing of reactions
• Attunement
• Authentic connection
• Interruption of ruminations and negative thoughts
• Openness to talk about difficult memories, thoughts, and emotions
• Trusting in one’s own abilities
• Spiritual growth
• Social skills
• Boundaries

Ultimately, the goal of equine therapy is to develop skills for relationships, heal patterns no longer serving you, and establish new connections with the natural world.

What Happens During Equine Therapy?

During an equine therapy session, you may engage in a wide variety of activities designed to enhance physical, emotional, and social well-being via your interactions with the horses. The therapy may begin with grooming and petting the horse, cultivating trust and a calming bond between the person and the animal. The initial horse-human connection is crucial, allowing for feelings of emotional safety on both ends. As the therapy progresses, other exercises come into play, like lunging, which helps with effective communication with the horse from the ground while emphasizing body language, connection, confidence, and coordination. Obstacle courses may also be integrated into the sessions, lending to a sense of teamwork and problem-solving while breaking down complex behaviors into manageable steps.

The skills and awareness gained in equine therapy can translate into the rest of life, as well. Think self-regulation, autonomy, and emotional intelligence. Overall, the combination of tangible skills and emotional healing contributes to a holistic therapeutic experience for overall well-being, transformation, and bond between human and horse. To learn more about equine therapy, consider enrolling in our course, which delves into its different components, including how to get involved, its connection to psychedelic therapy, and so forth.

Because horses do not have a prefrontal cortex, their ability to connect and communicate through these processes is similar to that of humans in the stage before developing higher cognitive functioning. This understanding means that horses respond primarily to non-verbal cues and emotional states, relying on instinct and intuition. Their sensitivity to human emotions fosters connections based on trust and understanding, making them particularly effective partners in therapy. This empathetic nature also lends to an environment where participants can express feelings and learn about themselves in a safe, non-judgmental space, further enhancing the healing potential of equine therapy.

Similarities Between Equine Therapy and Psychedelic Therapy

The Therapeutic Link Between Horses and Psychedelics

As I learned more about equine therapy, I started to see many similarities between equine and psychedelic therapy. Both are considered ‘alternative’ treatments for mental health, and experts dub them as ‘assisted’ or ‘facilitated.’ They commonly use equine-assisted therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy to emphasize the horse or medicine as an aid or catalyst to the therapy. In this way, both approaches use the aid to facilitate better outcomes than therapy alone. They rely on a series of sessions that progress over time, although the healing process is often not linear. One may feel as if they’ve taken two steps forward and one step backward, but as the sessions unfold, the personal gains become apparent over time.

One of the most striking similarities between equine- and psychedelic-assisted therapy is their utility across many types of mental health conditions. Both modalities have shown effectiveness in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD, and trauma, among others. The therapeutic process in both disciplines often involves interdisciplinary teams that coordinate care for the client, bringing together professionals from diverse backgrounds—such as therapists, medical practitioners, and equine specialists—to create a comprehensive approach tailored to individual needs. This collaborative model enriches the client’s experience and ensures that multiple facets of their mental health are considered and addressed.

Training, Certification, and Risks

Another parallel of these therapies is the topic of training and certifications. If you search the web for ‘equine therapy training’ or ‘psychedelic therapy training,’ many websites offer training for providers to get certified. Some methods are trademarked. However, there are no regulatory agencies overseeing or mandating training curriculums. This lack of oversight causes significant variability in quality across programs and the providers they train. This inconsistency can lead to disparities in client experiences and outcomes, which is concerning in fields where emotional and somatic safety is paramount.

Lastly, while both equine-assisted therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy hold great promise, it is essential to acknowledge that they also carry inherent risks. Both require the facilitator to be adept not only in their therapeutic techniques but also in understanding the unique dynamics of working with horses or managing psychedelic experiences. Without proper qualifications and awareness, the potential for adverse effects increases—again, why training courses and continuing education are vital. As interest in these alternative therapies continues to grow, it is essential that clients seek out trained professionals who adhere to established standards of care and ethical best practices to ensure the best possible outcomes on their healing journeys.

Equine Therapy for Psychedelic Preparation and Integration

Preparing for Transformation with Horses

Preparation is a key part of intentional psychedelic use. If a psychedelic medicine is delivered together with therapy, the preparatory phase helps you understand what to expect during the experience and sets the foundation for meaningful integration afterward. Preparation often involves exploring your intentions, addressing any fears or concerns, and providing education about the medicine’s effects. The horse can be a terrific partner for preparation. They offer a steady and calming presence for you to drop into what is coming about the experience to come. This phase may also include mindfulness practices or breathing exercises facilitated by the horse to enhance emotional resilience and ensure a supportive mindset, helping you to approach the journey with clarity and openness. By nurturing a sense of safety and readiness, preparation increases the likelihood of a therapeutic and transformative experience.

The period following a psychedelic journey is an opportune time to initiate positive changes in your life, as integration is the practice and lifestyle that allows you to take the lessons learned during the experience and apply them in real time. This process can take many forms, ranging from journaling to partnering with a counselor, each offering meaningful ways to reflect on your insights. Sometimes, psychedelic experiences can be challenging to articulate, which is where activities in nature come into play; they allow you to remain present with your feelings and experiences as they unfold. Engaging with horses, in particular, creates a unique bond that transcends language while emphasizing emotional intelligence.

The Healing Bond Between Humans and Horses

As Samantha Harvey puts it: “The ability to interact with the horse offering a two-way conversation, and then believing, addressing, and supporting the horse during the interactions to create a mental availability, emotional quiet, and physical softness.”

Research has shown that the horse-human bond benefits those grappling with various mental health conditions, including depression, autism, trauma, PTSD, addiction, and at-risk youth, as well as physical conditions such as cerebral palsy, arthritis, and other disabilities. Through this connection, horses teach us alternative ways of knowing, inviting us to disconnect from our thoughts and intellect while encouraging a deeper connection with our emotions, intuition, and bodily sensations. For further exploration, the TEDx talk “Listening to Horses” offers valuable insights into these profound interactions.

Join our on-demand course, Harnessing the Healing Power of Horses and Psychedelics, to explore my healing journey with horses and delve into the practices of equine-assisted services with 8 equine practitioners. You will learn how horses can be insightful partners in preparing for and integrating expanded states of consciousness. The course also covers practical activities for equine sessions and provides a deeper understanding of the psychological and physiological mechanisms behind these profound experiences.