About Equine Assisted Therapy

Horses don't care about our credentials, our stories, or the face we show the world. They respond to what's actually happening inside us. That honesty makes them remarkable partners in healing.

As prey animals, horses are finely tuned to the energy and nervous systems of those around them. They notice when we're anxious, distracted, or holding something back, and they respond in the moment. This gives us real-time feedback that's hard to find anywhere else.

Working alongside a horse, we can practice:

• Clear communication and healthy boundaries
• Grounding and calming the nervous system when feelings run high
• Noticing our intentions, energy, and where our attention goes
• Confidence, leadership, and self-care

Horses also offer attunement and mirroring, and they share calm, quiet space with us when we need to ground ourselves. In many ways, horses do for us what they do for their four-legged herd mates.

EMDR can be added to our work with horses, helping trauma move through in an experiential, embodied way. Protective parts often show up in real time with horses, too, giving us a chance to meet and understand them as they happen.

• No riding and no experience needed. All work is done on the ground, and you'll never be asked to do anything that doesn't feel safe.
• Location: Sessions take place at a ranch in Poulsbo.
• What to wear:  closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing

Equine-assisted therapy can complement the work you're already doing with your primary therapist, offering a hands-on way to explore and practice what you're learning.