Your Source for All Equine Therapy Services

Equine therapy has gained recognition as a powerful approach to support mental health, personal growth, and learning. This form of therapy uses horses as partners in healing and education, offering unique experiences that traditional methods may not provide.

As equine-assisted services continue to expand, many individuals and families are seeking clarity on what each modality offers and how to choose the right fit. With more than two decades of experience providing equine-assisted mental health and learning services, my goal is to help our community understand the distinctions between these approaches, as well as the qualifications required to offer them safely and effectively.

This post explains the main equine therapy modalities, their purposes, and the qualifications behind them.

Equine Assisted Therapy (EAP)

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are designed to address mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance misuse. These sessions are facilitated by a licensed therapist working alongside an Equine Specialist. The therapy is un-mounted, meaning participants do not ride the horses but interact with them on the ground.

How EAP Works

The therapist guides clients through activities involving horses that encourage emotional awareness, communication, and trust-building. Horses respond to human emotions and body language, providing immediate feedback that helps clients recognize patterns in their behavior and feelings. This interaction supports healing and growth in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Who Can Benefit

EAP is suitable for anyone seeking therapy for mental health issues. It is especially helpful for those who find traditional talk therapy challenging or want a more experiential approach. The presence of horses can reduce stress and promote mindfulness, making it easier to explore difficult emotions.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)

Equine Assisted Learning focuses on personal development, social skills, and experiential education, rather than clinical mental health treatment. Sessions are led by one or two Equine Specialists depending on group size. Like EAP, these sessions are un-mounted.

What Happens in EAL

Participants engage in activities with horses that teach communication, leadership, boundary-setting, and self-awareness. For example, a group might work together to guide a horse through an obstacle course, learning about cooperation and clear communication. The horses mirror participants’ energy and intentions, helping reveal unconscious habits and emotional blocks.

Ideal Participants

EAL is appropriate for individuals or groups interested in self-discovery, improving relationships, or developing skills like assertiveness and problem-solving. It is often used for homeschool groups, in youth programs, and personal growth workshops.

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic Riding involves riding horses with the assistance of side walkers who support the rider’s safety. This modality is highly effective for children with autism and individuals with physical disabilities. Riding helps improve balance, coordination, muscle strength, and confidence. In autistic children, riding encourages speech and communication.

Availability

Therapeutic riding is offered at a nearby therapeutic riding center called Full Circle Therapeutic riding. We will be happy to refer you to this wonderful program.

Horse Powered Reading and Math

Horse Powered Reading and Math are emerging programs designed for students who need additional academic support and tutoring for students who are behind in their reading and math levels. Using horses as motivators and partners, the program aims to make learning engaging and hands-on. The program motto is "success starts at the barn".

How It Works

Students participate in educational activities involving horses, which can reduce anxiety around learning and increase focus. The presence of horses creates a calming, nonjudgemental environment that encourages persistence and confidence in academic skills.

Education and Qualifications of Providers

One of the most important aspects of equine-assisted work is the credibility and training of the professionals offering it. Unfortunately, the rise in popularity of equine programs has led to an increase in online “certification” scams promoting quick, unregulated credentials.

Legitimate training requires in-person instruction, supervised hours, and ongoing professional development. Reputable certification programs include: EAGALA, Okay Corral, The Herd Institute, Natural Lifemanship, and PATH International for therapeutic riding. If you need any additional information, contact us and we are happy to guide you in the right direction.

• Therapists at Pegasus Equine hold master’s degrees in professional counseling and are licensed by the state of Florida. Some therapists are also Certified Addiction Professionals (CAP). Only licensed therapists can call their sessions “therapy.”

• Equine Specialists follow the EAGALA model, a widely respected framework for equine-assisted mental health and learning. Specialists must have at least 6,000 hours of horse experience to qualify.

  
  

This combination ensures that clients receive professional mental health support alongside expert horse handling.

Equine therapy offers diverse approaches tailored to different needs, from clinical mental health treatment to personal growth and educational support. Whether seeking help for emotional challenges, learning new life skills, or improving academic performance, equine therapy provides a unique and effective path forward.

If you have questions or would like guidance on which modality is right for you or your organization, our team at Pegasus Equine is here to help.