Therapeutic Horsemanship
Explore emotions, enhance self-awareness, and develop personal insight through horsemanship activities.
What is therapeutic horsemanship?
Major’s Place Therapeutic Horsemanship program is a specialized approach that integrates equine-assisted activities to support individuals in developing physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
Rooted in the deep connection between humans and horses, this practice helps individuals build confidence, improve coordination, enhance social skills, and develop emotional resilience. Horses, known for their intuitive nature, provide immediate feedback to a person’s emotions and actions, fostering self-awareness and personal growth.
Therapeutic horsemanship can benefit people of all ages and abilities, including those with physical disabilities, mental health challenges, or developmental disorders.
Through groundwork exercises such as grooming, leading, and obstacle courses, participants develop trust, communication, and a sense of achievement, making it a powerful tool for personal transformation and healing.
One example of an activity that could take place during your session is creating a piece of art with the horses. Clyde, pictured here, is our resident art enthusiast who looks forward to expressing and creating with you!
Sessions rates are on a sliding scale based on ability to pay. Our recommended donation about is $50 - $150/per session. Scholarships are available to qualifying individuals.
Please note: Therapeutic horsemanship sessions are not supervised by a licensed mental health professional.
For more information on Eagala-Certified Equine Therapy sessions, click here.
Program Objectives
Enhancing Emotional Processing:
Engaging in both art and groundwork with horses creates a holistic approach to emotional healing. The reflective nature of creative expression, combined with the intuitive feedback of horses, helps individuals process their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Activities such as drawing, painting, or sculpting inspired by their equine interactions allow participants to externalize and better understand their thoughts and feelings.
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem:
The act of creating, combined with meaningful equine connections, fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Participants gain confidence as they engage in artistic activities that reflect their unique experiences with horses. Whether through sketching their emotions, crafting symbolic representations, or simply finding inspiration in the presence of these intuitive animals, individuals develop a greater sense of self and personal achievement.
Promoting Mindfulness and Presence:
The process of working creatively alongside horses encourages mindfulness, drawing participants into the present moment. Horses naturally promote a state of awareness and calm, and when paired with creative engagement, this combination helps reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance relaxation. Participants learn to be fully present in their creative process while attuning to the subtle cues and energy of the horses.
Encouraging Personal Reflection and Growth:
Combining therapeutic horsemanship with creative expression provides a unique platform for self-reflection and growth. By translating their experiences with horses into artistic representations, participants gain deeper insights into their emotions, behaviors, and personal journeys. This reflective practice helps foster emotional resilience, self-awareness, and a greater understanding of oneself, making therapeutic horsemanship a transformative tool for healing and self-expression.
DONATE TO OUR PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Major's Place is a 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Donations are applied directly to our general and youth scholarship programs.