About Therapeutic Horsemanship
Partnering with Horses
Our goal at Locust Lane is to create and maintain an atmosphere where clients can come and enjoy interacting with horses in a safe and nurturing environment.
People have long acknowledged the simple joy and pleasure that comes from the recreational aspect of riding horses. However, the benefits of involvement in equestrian activities have become widely recognized by a broader population.
Physicians, mental health professionals, and counselors are finding that activities involving horses can be a very effective form of therapy.
Horses are now being used in programs for drug addicts, prisoners, and troubled youth, with very high success rates. In addition, therapeutic horsemanship is being used successfully to help people with learning disabilities and various mental health problems.
Therapeutic horsemanship refers primarily to the positive mental and emotional benefits that can be derived from interaction with horses, such as building self-confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness, and a sense of empowerment.
Benefits of Equine-Partnerships
Participants often develop a bond with the horse that alleviates feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation.
They overcome vulnerability as they seek to build relationships with their equine partners... who are big and strong, yet completely non-judgmental and without condemnation.
Having achieved success in partnering with a horse often develops the skills needed to cultivate more meaningful human relationships.
Locust Lane Riding Center specializes in Therapeutic Horsemanship through offering Equine-Assisted Learning programs following the EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) Model. Certification is also underway for Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy through Natural Lifemanship.
Therapeutic Riding & Horsemanship
While we are not a traditional riding lesson program, we understand the benefits of horseback riding. Activities involving horses are good for children and adults, both those with mental health challenges and without.
Equestrian activities are a wonderful way to relieve stress and tension, a great excuse to be outdoors and be active, and a fun way to improve overall fitness, strength, flexibility, and endurance.
In our therapeutic riding sessions, our instructors work together in various capacities to create learning experiences that benefit participants physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
We emphasize the connection between horse and rider and teach the foundational skills needed to safely and effectively enjoy a positive riding experience.
The length of the session varies depending on client capabilities.
Physical Benefits
- Improved coordination
- Improved posture and balance
- Improved gross and fine motor skills
- Increased functional range of motion
- Increased muscular strength
- Improved cardiovascular function
- Improved stamina
Cognitive Benefits
- Increased vocabulary
- Improved attention and concentration
- Improved judgment
- Improved critical thinking skills
- Improved sequencing and planning
- Increased visual and auditory discrimination
Psycho-Social Benefits
- Increased self-confidence, self-esteem and self-control
- Mastery of a difficult task
- Increased understanding of consequences/cause and effect
- Increased desire of responsibility
- Improved positive social interactions
- Increased desire to take risks
- Experience of success in a supportive environment
Equine-Assisted Pyschotherapy
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a form of treatment that incorporates interaction with horses (unmounted) to promote emotional healing.
For Youth & Adults
Clients work with a team that includes a mental health professional, an equine specialist, and horses to achieve desired mental health outcomes.
EAP has been recognized as a highly successful modality for the treatment of all types of mental health issues, including PSTD, bipolar disorder, addictions, anger management, eating disorders and depression.
Locust Lane offers EAP following the EAGALA model.
Equine-Assisted Coaching
Clients work with a team that includes an equine specialist, and horses to achieve desired outcomes.
This type of coaching experience is beneficial for understanding relational habits, overcoming mindset obstacles, revealing emotional challenges and past traumas, developing as a leader and identifying effective communication styles.
Locust Lane offers EAC following the Natural Lifemanship model.
For Youth & Adults & Teams
Clients work with a team that includes an equine specialist, and horses to achieve desired outcomes.
EAC is a highly successful approach for personal development, overcoming mindset obstacles, identifying beliefs about self and others, understanding communication styles, revealing the impact of past trauma, and developing leadership skills.
Locust Lane offers EAC following the Natural Lifemanship model.