Equine assisted therapy uses horses in a structured therapeutic process to help people build emotional regulation, process trauma and practice relationship skills. At Psychological Preventative Health, PLLC in Ogden, Utah, we offer equine therapy as one of several evidence informed approaches that support recovery, resilience and personal growth.
What is equine assisted therapy
Equine assisted therapy is a form of experiential mental health treatment where horses are incorporated into therapy sessions to support emotional learning. Sessions are led by licensed clinicians who work alongside trained equine professionals and stable staff. The horse is not a passive prop. Horses offer real time social feedback and nonverbal cues that therapists use to help clients notice patterns, practice new behaviors and learn regulation skills.
There are different models under the broad label equine assisted therapy. Some programs emphasize skill building and relationship work. Others focus on trauma informed processing. It is different from hippotherapy, which is a physical therapy approach that uses the movement of the horse for motor outcomes.
Our clinicians bring evidence informed methods to equine work, and several team members hold certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. We are licensed and insured and integrate equine activities with each client’s individualized treatment goals.
Why equine assisted therapy matters locally
Ogden, Salt Lake and the surrounding communities have diverse service needs, including veterans, families, children and adults living with anxiety or depression. Equine assisted therapy can be especially helpful when people struggle to make progress with talk therapy alone, when regulation skills are needed, or when relationship patterns are best seen through action rather than explanation.
In our region, outdoor and animal focused approaches can feel culturally familiar and accessible. For military veterans and first responders, working with horses often provides a nonthreatening way to practice trust and grounding. For children and teens, the experiential nature of equine work creates opportunities for learning that do not rely solely on verbal insight.
Key concepts in equine assisted therapy
- Experiential learning. Clients learn by doing, practicing skills in the moment instead of only talking about them.
- Nonverbal feedback. Horses respond to body language and emotional states, which gives immediate, observable information the therapist can use.
- Emotional regulation. Activities are designed to teach breathing, grounding and paced interactions that reduce hyperarousal and build tolerance for stress.
- Relationship practice. Tasks with a horse let clients try new ways of connecting, leading, following and repairing misunderstandings.
- Trauma sensitivity. Sessions are planned with safety and consent in mind. Clinicians pace exposure and ensure clients can use containment strategies as needed.
- Individualized goals. Equine work is adapted to developmental stage, mobility, cultural context and the client’s therapy plan.
Common questions
How do sessions work
Sessions typically begin with a brief check in, followed by an intention or goal for the session. The clinician and equine specialist set up an activity that allows the client to practice a skill, for example noticing bodily signals, giving a clear boundary, or leading with calm. After the activity, the clinician and client process what happened, make links to daily life and set a small next step.
Who can benefit from this approach
Equine assisted therapy can help children, teens, adults, couples and veterans who are working on anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship strains or certain behavioral concerns. It is not a fit for everyone. People with severe allergy risks, acute fear of animals, or medical conditions that make being near a large animal unsafe may need different supports.
Is equine assisted therapy right for you
- Are you motivated to try a hands on, experiential approach to emotional or relationship work
- Do you want to practice regulation and communication skills in a nontraditional setting
- Can you be safe around large animals and follow directions from staff and clinicians
- Do you prefer learning through action as well as conversation
- If you answered yes to most items, equine therapy may be a helpful option to explore with a clinician
Pro tip: Before a first equine session, we review safety, accessibility and any medical or allergy considerations. Licensed clinicians coordinate with equine specialists to plan activities that match the client’s physical comfort and therapeutic goals.
Is equine assisted therapy evidence based
Research on animal assisted interventions is growing. Clinical teams that use equine methods best support outcomes when they combine experiential horse work with licensed mental health treatment, clear goals and progress measurement. For guidance on practice standards, organizations such as the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship provide training frameworks and best practices.
How we integrate equine therapy into treatment
At Psychological Preventative Health, PLLC we treat equine therapy as one tool in a broader treatment plan. A typical pathway looks like this.
- Clinical assessment. A licensed clinician evaluates symptoms, safety, readiness and treatment goals to determine whether equine work is appropriate.
- Collaborative planning. The clinician, client and equine specialist design activities that target specific skills, for example grounding, assertive communication or co regulation in couples work.
- Guided sessions. Sessions blend activity, reflection and skill rehearsal. Clinicians use evidence informed techniques alongside the experiential tasks.
- Measure and adapt. We track progress toward the client’s goals and adjust frequency or methods as needed. Equine activities are paused if a client needs a different therapeutic focus.
Related services
Equine work is most effective when coordinated with other therapeutic approaches. You may find it helpful alongside individual therapy, family therapy or services tailored to specific groups. Relevant pages that explain these options include our Mental Health Therapy overview, our Individual Therapy page and our Couples Therapy information. For children and adolescent clients consider reading our Children Therapy page. Veterans exploring equine work can review our Veteran Therapy services.
For an organized view of our offerings see the Services hub.
Related locations and communities we serve
We are based in Ogden and serve people from surrounding areas including Salt Lake and Logan, Utah. Outdoor therapeutic options like equine work draw clients from both urban and rural neighborhoods. For details about where we provide services and how we coordinate offsite activities, see our Locations hub.
Helpful resources and further reading
Below are a few authoritative sources that explain standards, research and practice considerations for animal assisted and equine based interventions.
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International for training standards and program guidelines
- American Psychological Association summaries on animal assisted therapy and relevant research
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resources on complementary therapies for veterans
Key takeaway
Equine assisted therapy pairs hands on activities with licensed clinical care to help people practice emotional regulation, repair relationships and work through trauma in a nonverbal, experiential way. It is most effective when used as part of a coordinated treatment plan with clear goals and safety measures.
Frequently asked questions
What happens during a first equine therapy session
The first session focuses on assessment, safety and establishing goals. You meet the clinician and equine specialist, review any medical or allergy concerns, tour the space and try brief, low demand activities that let you decide whether to continue. Sessions are paced to honor comfort and consent.
Is equine assisted therapy safe
When programs follow established safety practices and involve trained staff, equine therapy is safe for many clients. Safety includes appropriate fencing, trained equine handlers, clear client screening and clinicians who manage emotional risk. We coordinate all these elements before recommending equine work.
How long do clients participate in equine therapy
Duration varies with goals and progress. Some clients integrate a handful of equine sessions into a larger treatment plan. Others use equine work across several months. Clinicians review progress periodically and recommend continuing, pausing or transitioning to other modalities based on outcomes.
Is equine therapy the same as hippotherapy
No. Hippotherapy is a specialized physical or occupational therapy technique that uses the movement of the horse to achieve neuromotor outcomes. Equine assisted therapy in mental health focuses on emotional and relational goals and is led by mental health clinicians together with equine professionals.
Can children and teens participate
Yes. Children and teens often respond well to experiential approaches. Activities are adapted for developmental level and safety. Parent or caregiver involvement is determined by the clinician and the child’s treatment plan.
What should I ask before trying equine therapy
Ask about the clinician’s licensure, the role of equine specialists, safety procedures, how progress will be measured and how the work will be integrated with other therapy. Confirm any accessibility or allergy accommodations you need.
Learn more and check our profile
Read reviews and get directions from our Google Business Profile, and explore related pages to learn how equine therapy fits into a full treatment plan. For a guided overview of related topics, start with Evidence Based Therapies and Prevention And Resilience on our site.