Why I Champion Equine Therapy: A Journey Beyond Traditional Talking Therapy as a counsellor,

A note from the writer: I'm dyslexic, so my writing journey takes a bit longer and sometimes looks different. I've done my best to check everything carefully, but if you spot any errors or anything unclear, please know it comes from a place of genuine care and effort. What matters most is that these words give you the warmth and understanding they're meant to carry.

As a counsellor, I'm always looking for ways to support my clients that go beyond sitting in a room and talking. Whilst counselling remains incredibly valuable in my practice, I've seen how some people—particularly those dealing with trauma, ADHD, autism, or anxiety, can really flourish when we add different therapeutic approaches alongside traditional methods.

The Moment Everything Changed

My journey with equine therapy began quite unexpectedly whilst I was searching for a trainer to help with my therapy dog puppy. That's when I discovered Wagtail Equine Therapy CIC in Durham, and it completely shifted my perspective on what healing can look like.

I'd previously worked at stables that provided riding opportunities for individuals with disabilities. What fascinated me was watching horses that would bite and kick both myself and volunteers completely transform when they were with their riders. These same horses became gentle, patient companions—a transformation that sparked my interest in how we communicate without words.

Watching Monty Roberts demonstrate his gentle "join-up" technique was particularly eye-opening. He used the horses' natural body language to communicate with them, no force, no harsh words, just gentle, powerful connection. It showed me how much we can achieve when we move beyond words alone.

How Horses Help Our Nervous Systems

Here's something fascinating: horses are incredibly sensitive to our emotions and stress levels. They can sense when we're anxious, upset, or calm just through our body language and energy. This makes them perfect therapeutic partners because they respond to how we're really feeling, not just what we're saying.

When we're stressed or anxious, our nervous system goes into "fight or flight" mode. Horses can sense this immediately and will often mirror our state. But here's the beautiful part—when we learn to calm ourselves around horses, they help us practice what it feels like to be truly relaxed and present. It's like having a living, breathing feedback system that helps us learn to regulate our emotions.

Research shows that spending time with horses can lower our stress hormone levels and activate what scientists call our "rest and digest" mode—the state where our body and mind can truly relax and heal.

The Magic of Grooming and Ground Work

Many people think equine therapy is all about riding, but actually, some of the most powerful healing happens with both feet firmly on the ground. Simply grooming a horse—brushing their coat, cleaning their hooves, or just standing quietly beside them—can be incredibly therapeutic.

The rhythmic motion of brushing has a calming effect on both you and the horse. It requires you to be present, focused, and gentle. Many of my clients find that these quiet moments of connection help them feel grounded in ways that traditional therapy sessions sometimes can't achieve.

There's also something profound about caring for another living being. For people dealing with trauma or low self-worth, the experience of a large, powerful animal trusting them enough to stand quietly whilst being groomed can be transformative.

Why This Matters for Different Challenges

For Trauma and PTSD: Traditional talk therapy can sometimes feel overwhelming for trauma survivors. Horses don't ask you to explain your pain or make sense of your experiences. They simply respond to your authentic self in the moment, helping you practice feeling safe and connected without pressure to verbalise difficult experiences.

For ADHD: The combination of movement, sensory input, and the need to focus on the horse's responses can be incredibly beneficial. Many people with ADHD find that the hands-on, active nature of working with horses helps them feel more regulated and focused than sitting still in a traditional therapy session.

For Autism: Horses communicate clearly and honestly through body language. There's no hidden social agenda, no need to decode complex social cues. This direct, authentic way of connecting can feel much more comfortable and natural than human social interactions.

For Anxiety and Depression: The grounding effect of being present with horses, combined with gentle physical activity and the satisfaction of caring for another being, can help lift mood and reduce anxious thoughts.

Learning from Unexpected Places

One of the most compelling examples of equine therapy's power comes from American prison programmes where inmates work with wild mustangs. These programmes pair traumatised horses with people who have often experienced significant trauma themselves.

Both the horses and the people are, in many ways, learning to trust again. The inmates develop patience, empathy, and emotional regulation skills through their work with previously wild horses. Many participants report that working with these animals helps them develop emotional skills they'd never learned elsewhere.

It's a powerful reminder that healing often happens through connection, patience, and gentle persistence rather than force or pressure.

The Wagtail Difference

Set up by Directors Molly and Lauren, I was interested in how they provided a service that can seem inaccessible for some. So I reached out and asked to chat. When I spoke with Molly at their stables, Wagtail Equine Therapy CIC, I could sense Molly and Laurens' genuine passion for making these services accessible. Horse care can be expensive. Molly, Lauren, and their fantastic team are determined to bridge that gap, working tirelessly to secure funding so people who couldn't usually afford it can access these life-changing experiences.

"Mission & Vision

Wagtail Equine Therapy CIC is a trauma-informed professionally led equine therapy service that blends lived experience with psychological expertise, making the healing powers of horses accessible, inclusive, and rooted in real connected."

When I met Molly face to face, I was struck by her combination of calm presence and infectious enthusiasm—qualities that make you feel genuinely excited to be around the horses. Perhaps best of all, you can refer yourself directly to their services.

The emphasis at Wagtail isn't on riding lessons—it's about handling the horses, grooming them, learning how to interact with them, and taking time to simply be present in a safe space where natural conversation can flow.

Beyond the Therapy Room

What excites me most about equine therapy is how it complements rather than replaces traditional therapeutic approaches. In my practice, I often find that clients who struggle with conventional talk therapy can make breakthrough progress when they have access to these alternative therapeutic experiences.

For some people, the idea of sitting in a room talking about their feelings feels impossible. But put them in a field with a gentle horse, give them a brush, and suddenly they're engaged in a therapeutic process that doesn't feel like "therapy" at all.

A Different Way of Healing

As someone who works with people facing various challenges, I've learned that healing isn't a one-size-fits-all process. Some people need movement, others need silence, some need touch, others need space. Horses seem to instinctively know what each person needs and respond accordingly.

The beauty of equine therapy lies in its simplicity. Horses don't judge, don't have expectations about eye contact or verbal responses, and they respond to genuine emotion rather than social performance. For many people, this feels like a breath of fresh air.

Looking Forward

Over the coming weeks, I'll be highlighting more services that I refer clients to. My commitment has always been to find practitioners who share my values of accessibility, respect, and person-centred care.

Equine therapy represents everything I believe about good therapeutic practice: it's accessible, non-judgemental, and recognises that healing happens in many different ways. Sometimes the most profound growth occurs not through words, but through the simple act of being authentically present with another living being who accepts you exactly as you are.

If you're curious about equine therapy, I encourage you to explore what services like Wagtail offer.

Disclaimer: My opinions and thoughts are my own. Please do your own research and base your experiences on your own interactions. I accept no responsibility for any negative experiences that you may have as a result of accessing recommended services.

Sharen x