Equine Assisted Therapy
Horses are an exciting new addition to the work we do at SEDA. Our mission for this work is to bring about permanent life change for people through experiential contact with horses. Helping people to experience emotional, spiritual and physical growth and to maximize an individual’s motivations and willingness to be part of and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
What are the benefits of EAT?
Much like traditional counselling the space provided here is one which is intended to be a therapeutic, safe space; and one which the participants experience unconditional, non-judgemental acceptance.
The horses are an integral part of the therapeutic process and the participant’s experience, through this authentic interaction between the horses, the counsellor and the client.
This connection enables the client to explore their internal world in a way which reflects back to theirselves deep seated emotions. Equine assisted therapy can help with many issues and is considered to be especially helpful for those who want to change elements of their behaviour.
Humans have been using animals for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. Instinctively a horses survival depends upon its ability to rely upon its senses, accurate interpretation of its environment and any potential threat is crucial.
An example of this can be seen when wild zebra gathered around a water hole will drink alongside a pride of lions, as long as that lion is not looking for his evening meal, the zebra will drink quite comfortably. How do they determine this decision? The determining factor is body language; body language is a hugely influential communication tool. A horse’s ability to accurately read body language, human emotion and their inherent honesty is perhaps why we turn to them more and more in times of distress.
Horses are becoming particularly well known for their ability to foster change.
Who can benefit?
Anyone, who is experiencing any level of difficulty or distress, either from the present or from past life experiences and where the level of difficulty or distress is effecting their lives today in some way.
Trauma - PTSD
ASD.
ADHD
Attachment Issues
Aiding recovery from illness
Stress and anxiety
Loss / Change
Depression
Eating disorders
All the horses at SEDA come from very different backgrounds; each of them has their own unique story, life experiences, past pains, sufferings, and healing to bring into ‘the arena’. When we are open to work with the horses and we are willing to get into this ‘arena’ with the horses, we can be moved spiritually, experience significant emotional and physical healing. Our ‘self’ and ‘other’ awareness is woken up, and the learning and development available to each of us though working with these magnificent creature teachers is unique and precious.