How Equine-Assisted Therapy and EMDR Help Trauma Recovery
What Is Equine-Assisted Therapy?
Equine-assisted therapy is a powerful, evidence-informed approach that combines the healing presence of horses with therapeutic support to help individuals recover from trauma, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more. Unlike traditional talk therapy, equine-assisted therapy invites clients to engage somatically — in the body — through interactions with horses in a calm, grounded environment.
Horses are sensitive, intuitive animals that respond to our emotional states, often providing real-time, nonverbal feedback. Through grooming, leading, observing, and sometimes simply being with the horse, clients learn to regulate their nervous systems, build trust, and reconnect with themselves.
Another part of what makes horses such incredible therapy partners is their neuroception; the subconscious, automatic process by which our nervous system detects whether a situation or person is safe, dangerous, or life-threatening. As prey animals, horses have evolved to be acutely aware of their environments and tapped into their sympathetic nervous system (fight and flight) in order to stay safe from predators. This often mirrors the highly sensitive nervous systems of traumatized individuals who are reliving their trauma and stuck in states of hyper vigilance. However, horses have adapted to move through these responses and quickly co-regulate with each other, returning to “rest and digest” after the threat has passed. So we can find resonance in the nervous system of a horse, but we can also find learning in how they are able to return to states of calm through their breath, body, and relationships with each other.
The Power of EMDR in Trauma Recovery
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective, research-backed treatment for trauma and PTSD. It helps clients reprocess painful memories and reduce emotional distress by using bilateral stimulation — often through eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues — while focusing on specific traumatic memories.
EMDR helps the brain unlock and rewire how trauma is stored, allowing healing to happen more naturally and efficiently.
What Is Equine-Assisted EMDR?
Equine-Assisted EMDR is an innovative fusion of two powerful healing modalities: EMDR therapy and equine-assisted psychotherapy. In this approach, sessions are conducted in the presence of or in partnership with a horse, often outdoors or in a barn setting. The horse may act as a co-regulator, grounding presence, or symbolic mirror as clients move through trauma processing.
This method may involve:
Bilateral stimulation while observing or interacting with a horse
Resourcing and grounding exercises involving the horse (e.g., breathing with the horse, matching their pace)
Trauma processing in the presence of a calming equine partner
Creative, embodied integration of emotional breakthroughs
Why Equine-Assisted EMDR Works for Trauma Survivors
For many trauma survivors, especially those with complex PTSD or somatic symptoms, the body often holds stories the mind can’t fully express. Equine-assisted EMDR supports healing in a whole-body, experiential way, allowing clients to:
Feel safe and regulated in the presence of a nonjudgmental, attuned animal
Access deeper emotional layers through symbolism and movement
Rebuild a sense of agency, trust, and resilience
Create new neural pathways through integrated somatic and cognitive work
This approach is especially effective for those who have tried traditional EMDR or talk therapy but found it overwhelming or incomplete.
Who Can Benefit from Equine-Assisted EMDR?
This method is well-suited for individuals navigating:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
Childhood abuse or neglect
Anxiety, panic, and dissociation
Grief, loss, or major life transitions
No horse experience is necessary. All interactions are done safely, and participation is always guided by your comfort level.
The Role of the Horse: Not Just a Mirror, But a Partner
In equine-assisted therapy, horses are not tools — they are partners in healing. Their presence invites us into authenticity, embodied awareness, and relational repair. As prey animals, horses are highly attuned to energy, intention, and congruence — offering a kind of emotional clarity many clients find deeply validating.
They reflect not just who we are in pain, but who we are when we are healing.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
If you're looking for a trauma-informed, embodied, and soul-connected path toward healing, equine-assisted EMDR may be right for you. Sessions take place in a serene, nature-based setting with compassionate support from both therapist and horse.
