Equine Assisted Psychotherapy as a mindful trauma-informed therapy
Horses as prey animals have physiologically acquired many survival techniques. Evolving into an incredibly sensitive and attuned species.
A horse can hear a human heartbeat from four feet away. They can synchronize to our heartbeats, detecting even the slightest changes in our moods and affects.
The horse can “read a room” much like a trauma survivor can and does. Even when they are at their most peaceful, grazing in an open field, they are always experiencing a certain level of hypervigilance that works to keep themselves and their herd out of harms way. Some of the most incredible work I have ever witnessed has been done with survivors of trauma and horses—in their natural element.
Utilizing a trauma informed practice will hold key elements such as empowerment, trust, compassion, consent, safety, voice, and choice.
A client’s work with their equine partner should always foster these things. When a client and equine partner work together, the client while handling and working with the horse has safety and voice in what happens during the interaction.
There is very little you can hide from your equine partner. They sense subtle changes in your heart rate and moods unlike any other human ever could.
It has been my experience that navigating these interactions between client and equine partner during session can help prepare a client for success within human interactions in their greater world.
Sometimes, trauma is presented as an effect of a disrupted attachment, resulting in dysregulation, fear of rejection, and feelings of inadequacy.
The development of object constancy can in turn provide building blocks to secure and unconditional attachment.
“According to psychological research, object constancy is the ability to believe that a relationship is stable, hopeful, and intact, despite the presence of setbacks, conflict, or disagreements. People who lack this might experience extreme anxiety in relationships of all types-not just romantic ones or family ones-and may live in constant fear of abandonment.”
Our horses can teach us boundaries while showing us unconditionality in a relationship.
We may look forward to working with a specific horse all week, but when we arrive, the horse is showing us they are in need of rest and space. We then can use flexibility to find another equine partner, and have a different but still special experience. Our equine partners can show up with different moods, showing us that being our authentic selves and asking and TELLING what we need in any given moment, is something we deserve to have the courage to do.
It is only then when we can pivot love languages, attachment styles, and safely yet clearly, set boundaries within our treatment with equines.
Most recently, a client and this client’s equine partner experienced the need for clear boundaries, while still navigating the intense and incredible attachment they share.
This client beautifully asked their equine partner to show their love language of physical affection in a way that was not so pushy.
“I cannot let you nudge me so hard with your head, that is not safe. I need you to show me you love me in another way. I will always love you so much! I just cannot let you nudge me that hard!”
The beauty in this boundary, this unconditionality, and the strength and safety within this relationship has been able to lend to clear and healthy relational behavioral patterns modeled and learned.
Our equine partners have so much to give, as do we, and so many lessons to teach us.
I continue to feel the most grateful to be in this work, and the most honored to play a part in the magic that entails.
Gabrielle Johansen, LICSW, ESMHL