Our Herd

Our program is supported by a unique herd of horses who live and work together in a relationship-centered environment. Rather than being trained to perform specific tasks or activities, our horses are encouraged to interact naturally and communicate in ways that are authentic to them.

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Most sessions take place at liberty, meaning the horses are free to move, engage, or create space as they choose. This freedom allows their responses to be genuine rather than conditioned, which often creates powerful and meaningful interactions for clients.

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Over time, the herd has learned that their signals are noticed and respected. Because of this, they tend to communicate clearly and calmly with people, offering subtle but meaningful feedback about presence, emotion, and boundaries. These moments of interaction—whether quiet observation, curiosity, or connection—often become the most important part of the therapeutic process.

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Living alongside this herd has also shaped the way we approach healing. Horses naturally model qualities such as awareness, regulation, connection, and living fully in the present moment. Through time with the herd, clients are able to experience these qualities in a way that is felt rather than simply discussed.

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The result is not about completing activities with horses, but about experiencing relationship, communication, and emotional awareness in real time.

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Horses are Mirrors

​Horses can serve as a powerful catalyst for healing and personal growth. You don’t need to be a horse enthusiast to benefit from the deep, soulful interactions these remarkable animals offer. Acting as mirrors, horses often reflect patterns, emotions, and dynamics that may take months to uncover in traditional therapy, providing unique and immediate insights into your inner world.

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Trust

For individuals whose trust in others has been compromised, horses can provide a safe relational space, supporting the development of confidence in trusting both themselves and their human therapist. Through equine interactions, clients can gain insight into the underlying messages of their emotions, explore healthy boundaries, and recognize behavioral patterns in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment.

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Trauma

Traditional talk therapy can be challenging for individuals with PTSD due to avoidance, emotional numbing, and difficulty verbalizing traumatic experiences. Interacting with horses allows the client to engage in somatic and relational processing without reliance on verbal disclosure, fostering a sense of safety, trust, and empowerment. The horse’s immediate, nonverbal feedback helps the client increase self-awareness, recognize body cues, and practice grounding and regulation skills in real time.

 

Comfort

Horses can offer profound comfort during times of grief, sadness, anxiety, or loss. In equine-assisted sessions, the therapist provides a supportive and safe environment, helping clients process and integrate their experiences with the horses into everyday life and relationships. Equine-facilitated therapy is often used alongside other therapeutic approaches to enhance overall healing and personal growth.
 

Other

We incorporate horses in therapy to help clients gain new insights into their relationships. Working with horses can also support personal and spiritual growth, assist in processing pain or end-of-life concerns, and provide moments of respite from difficulty, offering a touch of happiness or joy amidst life’s challenges.

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Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)

In addition to equine-assisted psychotherapy, our setting is also home to several therapy dogs and a small group of friendly goats who occasionally participate in sessions. These animals offer additional opportunities for connection, regulation, and emotional comfort during the therapeutic process.

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Our therapy dogs are trained to support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. Their calm presence and natural ability to attune to human emotion can help clients relax, feel grounded, and experience moments of comfort during difficult conversations or processing.

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Our goats tend to play a different role. Curious, playful, and engaging, they are often incorporated into experiential or play-based interactions that can help reduce stress, encourage laughter, and support emotional expression—especially for children and teens. Their lighthearted presence can create moments of joy and connection that are sometimes difficult to access in traditional therapy settings.

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While animals may be present in some sessions, the primary focus remains the therapeutic relationship and clinical process guided by a licensed therapist. Animal-assisted interactions are thoughtfully integrated when they may support emotional regulation, insight, or healing.

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