Horses helping heal humans

By Carol Saffer

Lal Lal resident Sophie* is a qualified counsellor and youth worker with study majors in abuse counselling, grief and loss, child development and effective parenting.

As a trained equine psychotherapist, she practices Equine Assisted Therapy at her business, Horses Healing Humans Ballarat.

Equine Therapy is a unique form of assistance that helps the client to tell their story through the horse.

It is an active form of counselling with a hands-on approach.

“It is different to a therapy delivered in a clinical setting; it is experiential learning where the clients are working through trauma and mental health issues with an active type of counselling,” Sophie said.

“They are ‘doing’, instead of sitting in a room talking face to face.”

A Clydesdale and a miniature horse plus two dogs, a Labrador and a Koolie, are used in her sessions,

The animals have diverse temperaments; clients work with the one to whom they are drawn.

Sophie bought the two horses based on their breeds and personalities, and she trained them specifically for equine therapy.

“They are safe to be around, no kicking and biting,” she said.

Clients can learn about their interactions, beliefs, values, struggles, and strengths while working with the horses.

Horses can be a mirror for clients by giving live feedback on what their experiencing.

“Some of my clients say Equine Therapy creates a safe, active and engaging space for them to work through issues and towards goals,” Sophie said.

“If a client is struggling with setting boundaries, we run activities with the horse to work out how to establish boundaries that feel right for them.”

Clients work through tasks with the horses, which can transfer practically to their everyday life.

The horses, alongside the counsellor, create a safe and motivating space for people to explore their own lives.

Her clients, who range from youngsters in the six to seven age group to people in their mid-60s, are treated for mental health trauma, anxiety, eating disorders and sexuality issues.

Sophie emphasises the client therapy is all done on the ground, not “learning to ride” therapy.

For more information, email [email protected]

*surname withheld.