Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Therapy is gently powerful.

With the felt experience of the naturally self-regulated horses, survival terror has the capacity to naturally organize, or reorganize, a sense of self, resulting in the ability to better regulate one’s own emotions.

Collaboratively engage the horses to process traumatic experiences by addressing emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges. This unique form of therapy promotes valuable life skills like self-awareness, embodiment, emotional safety, and trust.

Equine therapy is effective and fun!

Horses have a unique ability to connect. They are highly perceptive animals that can sense and respond to human emotions, providing observable immediate and honest feedback.

This experiential learning builds emotional regulation capacity, empathy, and insight into one’s own patterns and reactions. By working with horses, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their wounds, and their relationships, leading to personal and relational growth and enhanced well-being.

Horses are accepting and sensitive creatures.

Equine therapy offers an open and supportive environment. The unconditional acceptance horses naturally offer creates a safe space for individuals to express their emotions, communicate effectively, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

The physical nature and rhythms of grooming, leading, and riding also provides opportunities that foster a sense of empowerment, humor, play, and creativity which promotes reengagement in life and relationships as well as overall well-being.

The combination of emotional, psychological, and physical engagement creates a holistic and effective approach to therapy and trauma work!

Trauma can come with a lifetime of devastating effects if left untreated.

Explore and work with your trauma in a non-clinical, collaborative setting.

Equine therapy can lead to a reduction in trauma-related symptoms, improved emotional regulation, and increased feelings of empowerment.

Highlights of Equine Therapy

• Feel safely in your skin

• Restore healthy boundaries

• Encourage calmness & engagement

• Reduce stress & anxiety

• Improve mental health & happiness

• Learn about and do general care, feeding, and grooming

• Stimulates brain and body self-helping

• Grounding & embodied awareness; the trauma trigger antidotes

• Grief and loss

• Family & couples’ sessions available

• Veteran friendly

• Children with special needs

Equine Assisted Therapy Ranch Location

The ranch is located about 20 minutes outside of Mankato towards Nicollet. Directions to the ranch along with a Google map will be emailed to you as it gets closer to your scheduled appointment. The barn space is rented from private owners for the purposes of boarding the horses and providing equine assisted therapy. Footnotes has a confidentiality agreement established with the owners of the property. Out of respect for the owners as well as the protection of our clients who utilize these services, we limit disclosure of the location of the property and we opt to sent this information attached to your appointment reminders.