Horse Therapy

Interested in petting and interacting with a horse? Stop by a drop-in horse therapy event and get to know the amazing and beautiful horses at the Equestrian Center! Snacks for the horses will be provided!

• Friday, May 9, 4-5 p.m.

Equestrian Center, 4950 Trenton Oxford Rd, across from the Ditmer parking lot and the Miami University Police Department.

Students who are already engaged in therapy at the Student Counseling Service have the option of meeting with a clinician trained in providing equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP). EAP has been proven effective in treating depression, trauma, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. All of our EAP utilizes groundwork, so no riding experience is necessary. Clients engage in structured grooming and caretaking of the horses while the therapist and client engage in talk therapy. Grooming a horse includes currying, brushing, cleaning hooves, haltering, and walking.

Horses are incredibly perceptive animals and respond to subtle cues and emotions in humans. Their natural behaviors provide metaphors for clients to explore their life experiences. This therapeutic setting provides the opportunity for self-reflection, guided by the intuition of the horse and the expertise of the trained clinician. After EAP, clients report increased trust, self-esteem, and confidence. They also report decreased anxiety, depression, and isolation.

Two SCS clinicians offer EAP and receive training from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). Clients can request to meet with the clinicians for EAP and sessions are conducted at the Equestrian Center.

For more information about drop-in horse therapy events and EAP, please contact us at 513-529-4634.