Horse Therapy (equine-assisted Therapy) For Mental Health

Let's talk equine-assisted therapy and the overall transformative practice. In this article, we will dive into the power of the collaborative approach and therapeutic modality of equine-assisted therapy, what it is, and who this practice can support. In addition to discussing the power of equine therapy, we will engage in a watch review of the young adult show that follows Jolie, a young equestrian as she navigates change, discovery, and a return to her mother's home in Baltimore. 

What is Equine-assisted Therapy? 

Do not confuse equine facilitated therapy with equestrian riding, horsemanship, or horse training. Equine facilitated therapy is a collaborative practice that engages therapy and trained horses to assist in providing emotional and behavioral support. 

Psychotherapies that are often utilized within horse therapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behavior patterns. CBT can help clients work through depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and eating disorders. 

Benefits of Equine Therapy 

CBT is known to assist in the improvement of self-esteem related concerns, self-awareness, confidence, and empathy. 

Horse therapy can also assist in behavioral problems through experiential therapy to process difficult emotions and experiences. Often treating concerns related to relationship issues, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), addiction, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A major misconception with equine-assisted therapy is that you arrive with the goal of learning how to ride a horse, but the objective is quite the contrary. With horse therapy, you are there to connect with and care for the horse, but in that practice you learn how to care for yourself. 

Equine Therapy For Mental Health

Equine-assisted therapy can feel hidden due to access and what the general public assumes is the typical horseback rider. However, equine facilitated therapy is for everyone! Miah Young, within her News 4 interview, expressed that at eleven years old (in 2021) she wants to encourage more Black individuals to ride horses. Black people, as well as Native and indigenous people have held a longstanding connection to horses and horseback riding. 

Equine Therapy Certification 

Equine-assisted Therapy Certification For Clinicians

1. Get relevant education through an accredited program related to the fields of psychology, social work, or animal science. 
2. Gain experience through volunteer or employed work. 
3. Find an accredited and official program and complete the necessary trainings, hour requirements, and exams based on the organization’s qualifications.  

Equine certification for riding instructors

"The PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) is a voluntary, entry-level credential for individuals in the Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) profession who provide riding instruction and therapeutic value to people with disabilities. This may include mounted or unmounted work partnering with an equine (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) Certification Testing with Pearson VUE, 2024)."

Equine-assisted Therapy Certification In Action: Black Equine Therapy Nonprofit in Georgia

SOOFA Ranch in Palmetto, Georgia is a Black-owned ranch that incorporates equine-assisted therapy into their practices by introducing diverse populations to the power of horseback riding. The owner Flecher turned his hobby of horseback riding into a nonprofit that "uses horses to help clients say neigh to their anxieties.” See Black equine-assisted therapy in action. 

Is Equine-assisted Therapy Covered By Insurance? 

Equine-assisted therapy coverage by insurance depends on several factors, including the type of therapy, your insurance plan, and your location.

Type of therapy: Some insurance companies may cover hippotherapy, which is considered a medical treatment, but most equine therapies are not.
Treatment plan: Insurance may cover equine-assisted therapy if it's prescribed by a licensed mental health professional or pediatrician as part of a treatment plan.
Insurance provider: You should contact your insurance provider directly to confirm if your plan covers equine therapy.
Location: Fees for equine therapy services vary by location.

Beyond Black Beauty Watch Review 

Personally, I was not the target age demographic as this show is for young adults, but I enjoyed watching it nonetheless. Beyond Black Beauty spotlights a young Black (bi-racial) equestrian as she navigates her father's betrayal, her mother's former life, and developing as a young women in a new environment. We do get a dreaded police brutality scene, which I like to say is utilized to "push the plot." However, that does not minimize the impact and importance of redefining how we view horsemanship, rodeo culture, and Black beauty. 

Beyond Black Beauty also depicts the relationship dynamic between a Black mother and daughter. We talk about Black mother and daughter relationships around her often and in our 'Where is your mother' workbook, we discuss the importance of hobbies, other-mothers, and community to assist in healing your mother wound. 

One of my favorite scenes was watching Jolie's mother support her through a panic attack. Beyond Black Beauty is worth watching with the young adults and developing women within your life, or by yourself. Beyond Black Beauty is the story about triumph and family. You will be typing in ‘Beyond Black Beauty season 2 release date,’ after completing the show. The hope is that Beyond Black Beauty will return for another season, fingers crossed.

Providing you with information related to horsemanship and equine-assisted therapy, will hopefully encourage more Black and brown people to consider incorporating animal therapy into their healing journey!  

Happy healing! 

References: 

Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification testing with Pearson VUE. (2024). Pearsonvue.com. https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/pathintl.html

Contributors, W. E. (2021). What Is Equine Therapy and Equine-Assisted Therapy? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-equine-therapy-equine-assisted-therapy