Equine Assisted Therapy

EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY January 2016

4-H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNTY FACT SHEET

Reviewed by Carl Gardiner, Ed.D. and Barbara Johnson, D.V.M.

What is Equine-Assisted Therapy?

Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) is a form of mental and/or physical therapy that utilizes horses in activities as treatment. Horses are known for their ability to mirror the actions and mannerisms of humans. The activities in EAT include, but are not limited to, grooming, feeding, haltering, riding, and leading a horse all while supervised by a trained professional.

EAT has been implemented to treat/assist with ADD/ADHD, addiction, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, emotional disturbances, intellectual disabilities, physical impairments and PTSD. Several studies have shown EAT to be beneficial in developing accountability, assertiveness, communication skills, empathy, impulse control, independence, interpersonal relationships, personal boundaries, problem-solving skills, responsibility, self-confidence/esteem, self-control, self-efficacy, spiritual/religious connections, social skills, and trust.

Equine-Assisted Therapy Career Fields/Pathways 

Mental Health Professionals (psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor/psychotherapist, social worker)



Rehabilitation Care Professionals (physiatrist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist, physical

therapist) 

Equine Specialist

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Monthly Fact Sheet Published by Joaquina Scott Kankam (Program Specialist, 4-H and Youth Development)

Equine-Assisted Therapy Career Associations American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) -Mental Health Professionals Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) -Mental Health Professionals -Equine Specialists Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International -Therapeutic Riding Instructor -Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning -Therapeutic Driving Instructor -Interactive Vaulting Instructor

Sources “What is Equine Therapy?” CRC Health Group (2015) http://www.crchealth.com/types-of-therapy/what-is-equine-therapy/ “What is Equine Therapy?” Equine Psychotherapy (2008) http://www.equine-psychotherapy.com/equine.html “Equine-assisted therapy” Wikipedia (2015) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine-assisted_therapy

761 Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building 250 E.M. Norris Street P.O. Box 519; MS 2001 Prairie View, TX 77446 T: (936) 261-5148 F: (936) 261-5143 The Cooperative Extension Program serves people of all ages regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status (Not all classes are protected by legal statues). Issued in the furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Act of September 29, 1977 in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Agrilife Extension. Dr. Alton B. Johnson, Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A & M University.

Monthly Fact Sheet Published by Joaquina Scott Kankam (Program Specialist, 4-H and Youth Development)