Ask anyone who’s worked extensively with horses and they’ll probably share a testimony illustrating the power of the human-equine connection. Riders and trainers form unbreakable bonds with their horses, and thanks to a handful of equestrian therapy visionaries in the state, that bond isn’t exclusive to those who grew up spending their days in the barn.
At Beachwood, clients experience a unique mode of healing called Integrative Equine Therapy (IET) that doesn’t involve riding or caring for the horses, but rather fosters opportunities to be vulnerable in the presence of a sensitive animal. “Horses are prey animals; they sense the emotions that humans are feeling and show us physical cues of what’s happening in the client’s internal world,” says executive director Lynne Bryan Phipps. “Sometimes horses see us deeper than we can even see ourselves.” Under the guidance of an IET therapist and a specially trained horse, “clients are taken through a process to shift from reactions to chosen responses by creating new neural pathways,” Phipps explains, listing anxiety, medical trauma, and grief among the numerous problems the method can address. For instance, a client working through childhood trauma was aided in regulating her nervous system through the horse-human connection fostered at Beachwood. Phipps shares that the IET protocol is backed by science: data, compiled with the help of Brown University, shows that many clients experience greater healing results in a shorter amount of time than traditional talk therapy. Charlestown, BeachwoodRI.org
Offered in both individual and group settings, the Faith Hill Farm Foundation, a nonprofit, specializes in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) – methods dubbed as the “secret sauce” by Rhode Island clinical social workers who have witnessed the results. The former focuses on building confidence and achieving growth goals, while EAP centers on mental and emotional health, and is often paired with other forms of treatment to address anxiety, depression, communication challenges, trauma, bereavement, and other issues. Sessions take place at the facility or off- site, and partnerships with other nonprofits – including Adoption Rhode Island, Hope Hospice, Harmony Hill School, Ocean Tides, Tides Family Services, Sargent Rehabilitation Center, and Shine the Light Healing and Wellness – allow for expanded access. But it’s the horses that make all the difference. “Our equine partners don’t judge,” says owner Pam Maloof. “They’re natural healers. We’ve found that, with the help of equine and mental health professionals, these special horses lead individuals toward emotional well-being.” East Greenwich, FaithHillFarmRI.com
Joye Dolan, founder and executive director of Yellow Horse Equine, has been working with horses since she was five years old. From training and barrel racing to working in therapeutic programs and teaching foundation horsemanship, Dolan is a passionate equestrian who always dreamed of opening her own center. Yellow Horse is that vision fully realized, with a mission of “facilitating physical, social, and emotional growth and learning to individuals, families, and communities through equine- assisted activities and therapeutic programs.” Dolan has experienced firsthand how lives can be improved through companionship with horses – the facility is named in memory of her equine partner, Bubba, who she credits with helping her become the teacher she is today. From community groups to therapeutic/adaptive riding and other activities, programs are tailored to different ages and abilities, with the goal of achieving cognitive, physical, and emotional outcomes that come with riding, caring for, and interacting with horses. Ashaway, Yellow-Horse-Equine.com
Whether seeking treatment for your pony companion or an equine athlete, Ocean State Equine Associates in North Scituate has been taking care of horses throughout Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut for decades. Learn more about their services and preventative healthcare options by visiting OceanStateEquine.com.
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