What is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a solution-oriented approach to therapy in which horses are used as tools for emotional growth and learning.  Based on the belief that people have the ability to find their own answers, and the understanding that people change and grow when they are challenged, EAP allows for a unique experience of learning by doing. 

“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand”

- Confucius

Based on Gestalt psychotherapy principles, participants learn about themselves and others by participating in structured activities with horses and then processing and discussing feelings, behaviors and patterns that emerge from these exercises.  The technique is often compared to ropes courses used by mental health professionals, human development corporations and team-building workshops throughout the world.  More than 90% of what happens in EAP is on the ground.  EAP is not about horsemanship or riding.  In fact, most participants have never had any horse experience.