The use of animals within therapy can be traced back thousands of years. Their ability to read human emotion and their inherent honesty is perhaps why we look to them so often in times of distress. While a range of animals are well known for being therapeutic, horses are becoming particularly well known for their ability to foster change.
Equine therapy, or hippotherapy (from the Greek word ‘hippos’, which means horse), puts people and horses together along with a therapist in an environment designed to promote emotional growth and learning. Used to help with a variety of mental health issues from addiction to low self-esteem, this therapy type is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. No riding experience is necessary and, in most cases, you won’t be required to ride the horse at all.