It is said that a horse is a mirror to one’s soul. History shows that horses have played a therapeutic and rehabilitative role for some time, which is why horses are often used for therapy. Equine therapy is one of the therapies offered at Northbound Academy, a Southern California Long Term Drug Rehab. The horses used for sessions are some of those at the equine program managed by Vel Sass. Equine therapy is unique in the sense that the sessions are based off interactions between the horse and patient, whether it’s an assigned task such as lunging or just interacting by petting the horse. The sessions are geared towards bettering interpersonal relationships. There are six one-hour sessions over the course of a six week period, where the equine therapist, April Lain M.Ed, L.I.S.A.C, and the equine manager, Vel Sass, observe and then discuss the session with the patient.
I was one of those patients. I was very apprehensive when I started my equine therapy sessions. I had no insight to what equine therapy was about, so naturally I judged it. I thought to myself there is no way a horse can help me with any of my problems. During my first session, I was assigned to lunge a horse with only a halter and lead rope. I tried the task for about five minutes, gave up, and decided to stand in silence for the rest of the session, not working towards the task at hand. I was fearful of being judged. What I later came to realize is a horse will only judge me for who I am in the moment. At the beginning of my next session, I discussed my doubts about the process with my therapist. After a long talk I gained some insight about the benefits of equine therapy and how it could help me work through some of the anger, arrogance, and communication issues that I struggled with. I surrendered to the process and became willing to give it a shot. Throughout the next few sessions, I completed tasks such as: lunging without a lead rope, making the horse jump a cross bar, and making the horse complete patterns without touching it. After every session I would talk to my therapist and relate how I interacted with the horses to how I interacted with people in my every day life. It baffled me how much my interactions with the horses mirrored my interactions with humans. I began to learn about myself. I took a hard look at some of the defenses and walls I put up that caused me to struggle with the issues that were at hand.
The horses served their purpose, and were much more honest than I believe any human being could have been. When I approached them-no matter how much I tried to hide what I was feeling at the time-the horse always knew. If I was sad, they would comfort; if I was angry, they would run; if I was cautious, they would be cautious; and if I was kind and gentle, they would be attentive and responsive. Through interacting with the horses, I relearned how to interact with people. I apply the tools I learned in equine therapy to my life every day. My interpersonal relationships have never been better and I am truly grateful for the tools I learned doing equine therapy.
The Healing Effect of Horses at Northbound Academy is a post from: Drug Rehab Blog from Northbound Academy
