Horse Therapy – Is It All the Same?

By Catherine Poland

Many of us think of Therapeutic Riding when we here the term “Horse Therapy” when in fact there are many different types of horse therapy. This article will attempt to distinguish between Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in looking at some of the differences between the two types of horse therapy.

The horse therapy program that most of us are familiar with is the Therapeutic Riding program which has been used in Europe since the early 1950’s and was brought to the United States in 1969. Therapeutic Riding, often referred to as “HIPPO” therapy, was initially used for improving the lives of individuals with physical disabilities. In this type of therapy riding of the horse is essential in that the movement of the horse gently and rhythmically moves the riders’ body in a manner similar to that of a person walking. The benefits of the riders in this type of therapy often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength. Therapeutic riding benefits individuals with physical disabilities such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, down syndrome, mental retardation, autism, multiple sclerosis, spinal bifida, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, deafness, and cardiovascular accident/stroke.

Another type of horse therapy is known as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). This type of therapy has been used since the 1970’s and has recently within the last ten years or so has been referred to as EAP. One of the main differences in EAP from Therapeutic Riding is that there is no riding of the horse. Just last year in 2006 the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association set the standard that all the horse related activities for EAP sessions will take place from the ground. In the EAP session the horses are used as therapy partners to improve the emotional, behavioral, and mental health of individuals. The participants learn about themselves and others by being engaged in activities with the horses and then processing/discussing their feelings, behaviors and patterns.

One of the main reasons there is no riding in the EAP session is due to the impact the horses have in reading body language and mirroring humans. If the horse can see the person then the horse can mirror the human’s body language which gives tremendous insight to the mental and emotional state of the person. Once a person is on the horses back it is very difficult for the horse to read a persons body language because the horse cannot physically see the person. Some people may argue that the horse can feel the rider and the rider’s emotions through the horse body which may be true. However, one cannot discount that when a horse is “broke” to ride the natural instinct to buck the rider off is taken away from the horse and the horse is taught to be accepting of whoever is sitting on him. Keep in mind too -- that having a rider on a horse’s back goes against all of the horse’s natural instincts and laws of nature. Therefore you will not get a “true emotional read” from a horse carrying a rider. When people are interactive with horses from the ground it is very natural for horses to mirror the humans body language because body language is not only a natural instinct for horses but it is the horse’s main mode of communication within the horse herd. Activities where clients are engaged with horses from the ground is one of the main reasons EAP is such a powerful therapy because the horse will give a “true read” of the person they are with.

EAP benefits individuals with emotional or mental health disabilities in areas of anger management, attention deficit disorder, autism, behavioral issues, bi-polar, boundaries, eating disorders, grief, and substance abuse.