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The Crossroads Journal

Conversations with a Horse

By Wendy Visser Lojik

Anxiety and depression are becoming more common as our lives seem to become filled with responsibilities and expectations. Medications can help, but maybe it's time to explore the cause of the problems. Did you know that talking to a horse can be beneficial to your mental health? The long running TV show, Mr. Ed, (1961-1966), about an owner who carried on conversations with his horse was not only fun but pointed out that our animals can be aware of our thoughts and needs. In more recent years horses have been providing physical and mental health support with great success.

The more commonly known, hippotherapy, where riding or other interactions with horses can be combined with physical therapy for disabilities or limitations of the body, had its beginnings in Europe but is now widely recognized in many areas of the world. In addition, we are also understanding the benefits to mental health in the horse-human relationships. Professionals who have been trained to use horses in therapy sessions with clients are seeing positive, long-term results in reducing emotional stressors, more positive family relationships, and overall improved quality of life.

How does this type of therapy differ from the traditional talk therapy? There are several differences:

  • It takes place outside in a safe but challenging environment.

  • The client works with a team; the therapist, a horse professional, and horse(s).

  • It is hands-on, allowing the client to use not only the thinking and emotional brain, but also the behavioral/action part of who you are and how you respond.

  • It is sensory based; touch, sight, sound, smell, allowing connection for experiences and emotions.

  • It is a 3-way conversation between the client, the staff (including the horse), and the environment.

Horses may be large and somewhat intimidating to some clients, but given a chance to interact with them in a therapeutic setting and with support from trained professionals, clients can develop a positive view of self, learn to set healthy boundaries, overcome fears, work thru anxiety and depression and make major changes in creating healthy and rewarding relationships.

Three Willows Counseling & Equine Experience in Cedar Fort provides sessions for individuals, couples, families, children with developmental trauma and specialty groups. We also have experience providing sessions for military service members and their families.

Though we can't guarantee that our horses will talk to you, they will become an important part of your healing, learning process. Contact Three Willows at 3wllws@gmail.com or call (no texts) 801-766-8133.
The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 


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