09/14/2026
Equine Therapy
The “Magic” of a Horse
Growing up and riding a horse almost right after learning to walk, sealed my love of them for my lifetime. I was fortunate enough that at an early age I was able to go to a daycare that had many things to do, but it was the horses that I stayed with the entire day, every day, until I was picked up, as both of my parents worked in another town. I loved the hay, the work, the sweat and there is still nothing like the smell!
When I received the social work license, I wanted to combine it with my love of animals, especially horses. I began to hear and learn about equine therapy, ground work, where you are one-on-one with the horse, not riding, hence “ground” work. I found the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association where I could do all of my continuing education work around a horse, “my happy place.”
As I began to complete different parts of the model, I began to see how intuitive the horses were to the clients as well as the amazing work that was done in every session. By the way, a diagnosis does not matter in a pasture! It is the most REAL and RAW that anyone can be. The answer will come because the horse will teach you. To me, more effective work is done with a horse in a pasture, there will be a faster improvement in the client than anywhere I have ever experienced. Following are examples and I'd love to hear how any animals have affected your life.
I have seen teens begin to have conversations with the horse as they walk with them. These conversations are eventually practiced and held outside of the pasture where the barrier is then gone.
I have worked with domestic violence victims and perpetrators, separately of course. Both learn valuable lessons. The victim gains confidence and self-esteem. The perpetrator no longer tries to control others as he/she will NOT “control” a 1200-pound animal, and “he/she” learns that they are the one that has to change.
I said above that horses are very intuitive. Watch an animal’s behavior. It doesn’t matter what kind of animal. It will tell you everything you need to know.
I heard there was a horse that will lay down with a person who is depressed. It will stay until it sees the person getting up and then it will get up and walk away. It has absorbed that negative energy. The horse is then given a break and will come back to “work” later in the day.
There are many stories like this and to me, the movement is created around animals. The last one I will tell is about the horse I am pictured with named “Monty.” Sadly, he is not with us today but he was a gentle guide. One day I went out to catch him in the pasture. Monty loved to eat and he did not care that I was there to catch him most days as I usually had to walk way out to get him. He was way out, but today was a magical day. As I approached and entered the gate, Monty raised his head and we locked eyes. This day he did not go back to eating. Instead, he held my gaze and walked to me as if there was an invisible string between us. I did not move; I am not even sure that I took a breath as this was again magical. We were connected and as he came close, I turned and walked with him to the water trough not touching him. It never happened again. I have never forgotten that day.
