What is Equine Therapy?
For those who are interested, we offer equine therapy — a special kind of therapy that involves working with horses. Don’t worry if you’ve never been around horses before; our experienced staff will guide you through every step so you can develop a meaningful connection with these wondrous creatures. Horses have this incredible and keen ability to sense our emotions and reflect them back to us. They mirror our emotions and feelings, which can help you understand yourself better, learn to trust again, and develop healthier relationships.
As you experience the unique healing power of horses in our specialized equine therapy program, you will discover how working with these majestic animals can help you develop self-awareness, trust, communication skills, and emotional regulation. The peaceful setting of our Montana ranch creates the perfect environment for this transformative therapy.
Equine Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Equine therapy is uniquely utilized within our inpatient residential treatment program in Montana. You can even say this type of therapy is almost intrinsic to the environment that Bear Creek is enveloped in. The vast and rolling landscapes of Montana’s wilderness invite you to partake in equine therapy as part of your drug and alcohol addiction treatment plan.
As mentioned, horses react to human emotions in a way that differs from the other human relationships that you may establish in group therapy or support groups. With horses, you are able to develop a special and beneficial relationship that will ultimately contribute to your recovery journey.
The Unique Benefits of Equine Therapy
Communicating with horses during equine therapy is a rewarding experience where you will learn more about the depth of your resilience and strength. Because you are working with horses, you will be in a position where you care for their basic needs. For example, you will be able to groom, feed, and comfort them, and ultimately, they will look to you to provide for their basic needs. This contributes to developing your own self-awareness and confidence in rebuilding trust within yourself.
Through equine therapy, you will:
- Re-establish and rebuild trust and self-esteem within yourself
- Develop patience and emotional regulation
- Improve communication and social skills
- Reduce stress and anxiety and improve your overall mental health
