The ability to connect with people and mirror our innermost thoughts and feelings makes horses great therapeutic partners. As prey animals, horses are highly sensitive to their environment. They instinctively analyze and react to our body language and other nonverbal cues, providing us with valuable feedback and insights into areas of our lives. They may even pick up on and display things that are difficult for us to see in ourselves.
Horses are also a lot like us. They each have their own distinct personalities, attitudes, and moods. They are highly social and each have their own unique roles within the herd. It's also hard to ignore a horse with their size and presence. We can't just control a powerful horse. Approaching horses helps us reflect how we approach our relationships and how we can face other challenging or overwhelming things in our lives.
The Eagala Model is a team approach that includes a credentialed Mental Health Professional, a qualified Equine Specialist, and horses working together with you in an arena.
When inside the arena, all the work is done on the ground with the horses front and center, deliberately unhindered and never ridden, and allowed to interact with you as they wish. This creates the space for you, with the support of the professional facilitators, to reflect, project, and make deep connections.
The Eagala Model is effective because it embraces the science that we learn best by doing. The model prescribes a hands-on approach where you are given the space to explore and analyze your situations, make connections, and find your own solutions.
Courtesy of Eagala