HER SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT

Psychotherapy Incorporating Horses

OR MY CO-THERAPIST HAS 4 LEGS

BY MALAIKA KING ALBRECHT

Are you are interested in a rewarding, research-driven approach to healing and personal growth that is not your usual in office or Zoom therapy session? If so, you may be a candidate for counseling incorporating horses. Due to the rewarding benefits, the popularity of incorporating horses into therapy is steadily increasing. Over the past year, Google has seen record numbers of people searching for “equine therapy near me.” Those of us who have pets or have spent time around animals understand the feel-good effect animals can have, but beyond that good feeling, horses are exceptionally well suited for therapeutic work with people. Horses are non-judgmental, sensitive to non-verbal communication, and are social animals just like we are. In addition, horses react to subtle changes in their environment.

Locally, Dr. Cheryl Meola has a private practice in Greenville that offers equine assisted services, such as counseling incorporating horses and wellness coaching for stress reduction. After the past year, it is no surprise that she has had a waiting list. To off services at reduced costs for those in need and for veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for free, she and I co-founded Horses and HEALTH Inc. Both of us are certified therapeutic riding instructors and equine specialists in mental health and learning with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH International). Horses and HEALTH’s purpose is to promote healing

Sammy Rose Gunnerlove Donkey

through experiential activities with horses.

“Our mission is to empower individuals with a broad range of personal well-being goals by providing the highest quality equine-assisted activities and therapies in an inclusive and welcoming environment,” Meola said.

The history of equine-assisted services goes back to Ancient Greece where horseback riding was used to treat physical and mental health issues, and modern psychotherapists again pursued therapy involving horses in the mid-1900s. Now rather than viewing the horse as a tool, we regard the horses as colleagues and partners in the therapeutic process. Clients may learn horsemanship skills on the ground and work on connection with their chosen horse. Some clients may also practice rhythmic riding, as well. We believe that every interaction between the horse and human, whether on the ground or mounted, has a therapeutic purpose. HEALTH stands for Healing Equals Active Learning Through Horses, and the work/play we do with our horses is relationship-based.

The benefits of being outside are well-documented and innumerable, and standing in a pasture with horses is often relaxing. In this natural environment, the goal of all our activities is a connected, attuned relationship with your horse partner, which can in turn help deepen your relationships with others and yourself and strengthen well-being.

If this sounds like something you would like to experience, we would be happy to introduce you to our herd, which includes five full-sized horses, two miniature horses, and a mini donkey. The first visit to the farm will likely involve meeting the herd members and choosing one to work with. This important choice is ideal when the person and the horse choose each other, and yes, horses have opinions and preferences just like we do.

“Horses have different personalities, just like people. Some are friendly and seemingly easier to connect with, but the connection may not be as close and deep as the ones we must be more patient with,” one participant said. “Maybe those horses/people don’t trust as easily because of past trauma. Maybe it takes more time to connect, but they are worth the wait.Something had shifted in me this session. I felt different from the beginning. I had more confidence. The fear was gone. I knew how to keep myself safe. I knew Louie would not hurt me intentionally. I was learning how to keep us both safe, but I still had help. I felt the connection.”

If you are interested in supporting our mission and donating to Horses and Health, please contact us at horsesandhealthnc@gmail.com. For more information, visit our website Horses and Health | Mane Source Counseling or call 252-495-8520.

Malaika King Albrecht is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship riding instructor, and PATH International equine specialist in mental health, and a Masterson Method equine specialist with Natural Lifemanship training. In addition, she’s a yoga, Reiki, and meditation instructor. She co-founded Cheryl Meola.