Allan Hamilton
Horses have been partnering with humans for centuries, and they are one of the only prey animals to have connected with us in such a profound way. The human/horse partnership has evolved over time from transportation & agriculture to sport and recreation. Dating back to the Classical Era, the ancient Greeks and Romans wrote about the relationship between horses and humans as beneficial and healing.
Horses are social animals that live in groups or “herds”; within the herd, horses have defined roles. As prey animals their survival depends on their ability to use their instincts to sense underlying energetic and emotional currents in their environment. Horses are fully present in the moment, and do not think about the past or future. They are completely congruent and authentic with what they experience. .
Horses’ direct and non-judgmental feedback allows us humans to identify unproductive patterns, connect with strengths, and create change in the moment. Horses can provide the opportunity for learning through metaphors. What happens in the arena often parallels patterns, relationships and dynamics in our lives. Through time spent with these instinctual beings and engaging in experiential activities we can learn one of the most valuable lessons: by changing ourselves, the world around us can change. These lessons can be carried out of the arena and reach far beyond the pasture to be incorporated into our daily lives.
Activities are based on your goals with a focus on strengths-based learning. Activities can be as simple as walking an equine and exploring your relationship with him/her to build confidence, communication, trust and connection or as complex as moving through an obstacle course to help strengthen problem solving skills, self-awareness and mindfulness.
No prior horse experience is necessary. All exercises are conducted on the ground and involve interacting with horses through a variety of activities, such as grooming, leading, and obstacle courses
Beyond the Couch: A Psychoanalytic Approach to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy written by Dr. Natasha Filippides, is the culmination of years of research and the marriage of two passions the love of horses and of clinical psychology.
Copyright © 2023 Dr. Natasha Therapy - All Rights Reserved.
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