How equine-assisted therapy supports mental health and well-being

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) has become increasingly popular for individuals seeking unique and powerful ways to support their mental health. Whether you're coping with anxiety, trauma, addiction, or relationship difficulties, working alongside horses can offer meaningful insights and facilitate emotional growth.

There are two main forms of equine-assisted approaches: Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and equine-assisted learning (EAL). Understanding the difference between these can help you choose the most suitable support for your needs.

What is equine-assisted psychotherapy?

Equine-assisted psychotherapy involves a qualified mental health professional and trained equine specialist working together to support therapeutic outcomes. Sessions are designed to explore emotional and behavioural patterns, relationship dynamics, and past traumas in a safe, therapeutic environment. The focus is clinical, and the process is rooted in recognised therapeutic frameworks. You may explore how your past is impacting the present, gain deeper emotional insight, and work through specific issues with the support of a therapist.

The presence of the horse can make this process feel more grounded, embodied, and immediate, often bypassing some of the defences that can show up in traditional talking therapy. Horses naturally respond to human emotions and behaviours, providing immediate, non-verbal feedback that helps you become more aware of unconscious patterns, regulate emotions, and process experiences deeply.

What is equine-assisted learning?

In contrast, equine-assisted learning is not therapy. It focuses on developing personal skills such as communication, problem-solving, confidence, and leadership. The emphasis is on learning through experience and reflection, rather than therapeutic processing.

Facilitated by a trained coach or educator, EAL may involve structured activities with horses that support goals like team-building, emotional intelligence, or self-awareness. While these sessions can be powerful and insightful, they are not intended to diagnose or treat mental health conditions, and the facilitator is not acting in the role of a therapist.

One of the key differences lies in the emotional depth and psychological safety of the session. In EAP, the therapeutic container is held by a qualified therapist, who can help a client navigate emotional responses that may surface when working with the horses. There may be moments of emotional release, reflection, and integration. The therapist is trained to manage complex mental health presentations and hold boundaries that ensure the session remains safe and ethical. The work is underpinned by clinical supervision and the practitioner’s own reflective practice.

In EAL, while a session may feel enriching or evoke emotion, the facilitator is not working at the depth or with the responsibility of a mental health clinician. They may support participants to reflect on behaviour, communication, or leadership patterns, but they will not be offering psychological interpretation or holding a therapeutic process. For individuals dealing with trauma or other mental health concerns, this distinction matters.

Choosing the right approach depends on your specific needs and goals:

• Choose equine-assisted psychotherapy if you're looking for therapeutic support to manage mental health issues, heal trauma, or work through emotional difficulties with professional guidance.
• Consider equine-assisted learning if you're primarily interested in enhancing personal skills, self-awareness, or leadership capabilities without the direct focus on mental health treatment.
• Safety and ethics are essential components of both EAP and EAL. Practitioners should be transparent about what they offer and how this is supported not only through their initial training but also through an ongoing commitment to professional development and regular supervision.
• It’s important to ensure your practitioner has appropriate training at Level 4 or above in equine-assisted approaches and that their qualifications are independently accredited and meet national education standards in the UK (OFQUAL-regulated).
• Practitioners should also hold registration or accreditation with recognised professional bodies such as UKCP, NCPS, BACP, or BPS. These standards ensure high-quality practice, safeguarding your well-being and the welfare of the horses involved.

A background in equestrianism alone, even extensive experience in horse whispering, natural horsemanship, or BHS qualifications, does not mean someone is qualified to offer equine-assisted psychotherapy or learning. Similarly, someone with a strong background in holistic therapies like Reiki or NLP may bring valuable skills, but without specialist training in EAP or EAL, they may not be equipped to safely and ethically facilitate this work. Including horses in therapeutic or developmental work requires a specific set of skills and awareness; it is not something that can be improvised or adapted from other roles.

You may also want to ask whether the practitioner works in a co-facilitation model (with an equine specialist and therapist present), or whether the same person is trained in both aspects of the work. Clarifying this can help you understand who is holding the therapeutic or educational frame of the session and how safety is being ensured. You might also want to check whether they receive regular supervision (if they are offering therapy), what CPD (continuing professional development) they engage in, and whether they belong to a relevant professional network.

It is also worth asking about insurance and professional accountability. Do they hold adequate public liability and professional indemnity insurance? Are they part of a network that requires them to abide by a code of ethics? Are their premises appropriately licensed to work with animals under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018? A reputable practitioner will be happy to share these details with you.

Another consideration is how the horses are treated and included in the process. In both EAP and EAL, horses are not simply tools or props but sentient beings who participate in the session. A respectful, ethical relationship with the horses is key, ensuring their needs are met and that they are not overworked or placed in stressful situations. Ethical equine-assisted practice will involve awareness of the horse’s body language, the ability to recognise signs of stress or withdrawal, and a willingness to adapt the session accordingly. It’s OK – and important – to ask how the horses are kept, what kind of work they do, and how their well-being is protected.

Finally, think about your own readiness. Equine-assisted work can be a deeply moving experience. It invites you to connect with your body, emotions, and relational patterns in new ways. It can bring things to the surface that you may not have anticipated. Choosing a practitioner who can safely guide and support you through this process makes a real difference.

Engaging in equine-assisted sessions can offer profound and lasting benefits, supporting your journey towards greater emotional well-being, self-awareness, and meaningful personal growth. Whether through the structured therapeutic process of EAP or the reflective experiential learning of EAL, horses have a remarkable ability to help us reconnect with ourselves and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Taking the time to ask these questions can help you feel confident that you’re working with someone who is well-equipped to support your journey with care, clarity, and respect for you and the horses involved.