Equine therapy at Psychological Preventative Health, PLLC uses guided interactions with horses to support emotional regulation, trauma processing and relationship work for children, teens, adults, couples and veterans. We combine person centered mental health care with outdoor, animal assisted experiences to address anxiety, depression, trauma and relational patterns.
What equine therapy includes
Our equine therapy service pairs clinical skill with structured time around horses under the guidance of a licensed clinician. Sessions focus on nonverbal feedback, practiced coping skills and reflection. Typical elements include a goals discussion, low stress interactions with a horse, skill practice with clinician coaching and integration work that connects what happens in the paddock to daily life.
We offer equine therapy to clients across the Ogden area and coordinate care that complements other therapeutic approaches we provide at the clinic. Learn about our primary practice location on the Ogden location page.
Who benefits from equine therapy
Equine therapy can help people who find traditional talk therapy limiting, and it is often useful when emotions, body sensations or nonverbal patterns are central to the problem. At Psychological Preventative Health, PLLC we work with:
- Children and teens who need help with regulation, social skills or trauma responses
- Adults managing anxiety or depression who respond well to experiential work
- Couples and families working on communication, trust and attachment issues
- Military veterans whose trauma or reintegration challenges benefit from somatic, relational approaches
Benefits you can expect
Equine therapy delivers several practical benefits when provided as part of a clinical plan. Typical gains include:
- Improved emotional regulation through clear, moment to moment feedback
- Faster recognition of nonverbal patterns that affect relationships
- Opportunities to practice coping skills in a lower threat, embodied setting
- Enhanced rapport for clients who struggle with purely verbal work
Our process for equine therapy
We integrate equine sessions into a broader treatment plan. Below is how we typically proceed when equine work is appropriate.
- Intake and assessment. We review history, strengths and safety needs during an initial clinical intake at our Ogden practice to determine if equine therapy is appropriate.
- Collaborative planning. Therapist and client set measurable goals and agree when equine sessions will be added to other services.
- Orientation to the horses. The first equine session focuses on safety, boundaries and a gentle introduction to the animals and setting.
- Skill practice with horse interaction. Subsequent sessions use structured activities to practice grounding, emotional labeling, boundary setting and communication, with clinician reflection after each exercise.
- Integration. We translate insights from the paddock back into daily routines, relationships and follow up therapy at the clinic.
Pro tip: Equine therapy is most effective when it is part of a coordinated plan that includes individual or family sessions, so we often link equine work with our other clinical approaches.
Why choose our approach
We ground equine therapy in a person centered, evidence informed framework. Our clinicians tailor sessions to developmental stage and cultural context, and we draw on trauma sensitive practices. The team is certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and that training informs how we support memory processing and symptom reduction alongside experiential work with horses.
Pros
- Experience with children, teens, adults, couples and veterans
- Integration with other therapies offered at the clinic
- Trauma sensitive, strengths based planning
Cons
- Not appropriate for people with severe fear of horses or certain allergies
- Sessions require travel to an outdoor setting and planning for weather and clothing
Service area
We provide equine therapy and complementary mental health services to clients living in Ogden, the Salt Lake area, Ogden North and Logan, Utah. We coordinate care so equine sessions connect smoothly with clinic based psychotherapy.
Related services and resources
Equine therapy works best when combined with other evidence informed treatments. Relevant services and topics include:
- Mental Health Therapy, for ongoing symptom management and skill building
- Trauma Informed Care, for safe and effective processing of difficult memories
- Evidence Based Therapies, to understand how experiential and protocol driven approaches fit together
Frequently asked questions
What should I expect during my first equine therapy session?
The first session focuses on orientation, safety and setting clear goals. We explain boundaries with the horses, assess comfort levels and select gentle activities to build familiarity. The clinician then reviews how the session informed next steps in your overall treatment plan.
Is equine therapy safe for children and teens?
Yes, when sessions are run by clinicians trained to work with young people and when local farm staff follow accepted safety practices. We assess developmental needs and supervision requirements before scheduling equine sessions for children or teens.
Do I need prior experience with horses?
No prior experience is required. Equine therapy is designed for people with no riding or horseback experience. Activities are nonriding and focused on interaction, observation and emotional learning.
How does equine therapy fit with other treatments like Accelerated Resolution Therapy?
Equine therapy can complement modalities like Accelerated Resolution Therapy. While ART targets memory based processing, equine sessions provide embodied, relational feedback that helps clients notice patterns and practice skills between ART sessions.
Learn more and view our location information
To read client feedback, check directions or learn more about our Ogden practice, see our location details and profile. You can also explore related services and topics on this site to understand how equine therapy fits into a broader treatment plan.