Do you offer therapy?

It is common for us to be asked if we offer equine therapy, so I thought I'd take a moment to answer it here because I appreciate the range of offerings with horses is confusing if you are new to exploring their benefits for mental and physical wellbeing.

Gemini defines therapy as:

"...the structured treatment of mental or physical illnesses, injuries, or disorders aimed at improving health, functioning, and quality of life..."

Here at HorseSense UK we do two things that clearly mean we aren't offering therapy. First off, our sessions aren't structured. We meet the individual(s) where they are at, which frequently requires us to respond to the moment rather than have a set approach. I've often gone to the barn with the idea of doing one thing and then done something completely different. It's a skill Dainty got very good at training me to do, and I lean on heavily!

Secondly, we aren't interested in treating a person's illness, injury or disorder. We instead prefer to see the person as complete and whole, and build on that completeness and wholeness so it becomes their whole experience. It's a subtle but important distinction to us, as we like to work with the individual holistically rather than focus on one thing.

We do however, align with therapy on the outcome of improving health, functioning and quality of life! We also appreciate that therapy can be excellent and transformational for people and it comes with highly trained professionals with excellent qualifications, it just isn't our approach or our skillset!

My (Becci's) background is in health and wellbeing. My own journey from chronic fatigue and emotional burnout has given me first hand insight into anxiety, exhaustion, not fitting the mould, needing space, time, nature, kindness and compassion in a world that can feel like it has a very set definition of "success".

My interest in what makes humans alive has driven a deep interest in spirituality, the only approach that offered a way forwards when I was at my most compromised. Treading an unknown path, I courageously discovered what it meant to be alive and navigate the world from a place of authenticity rather than fear. In doing so I discovered some of the many myths and beliefs that keep humans from being healthy. Myths like success is defined externally and that we must sacrifice ourselves to please others. If I had a magic wand, I would eradicate these for everyone, so powerful are these two beliefs alone!

Self-responsibility

Horses have shown me that talking self-responsibility is paramount to survival and a quality of life. They have shown me (and others) that it isn't your exam grades/job title/bank balance that defines you, but your honesty, willingness to take risks and respect for yourself and the world around you. They teach people the importance of letting go of what you thought you knew to experience this moment innocently without pre-concieved ideas. They also share that you must stand your ground or you'll be pushed around by others and that it won't be your life you are living, but somebody else's. That only happens if we let it. We have to reclaim our power if we want things to be different. This isn't necessarily easy, but essential for health.

Horses speak of leadership, the need to connect to the world around you and that all you ever needed is already within. They have survived for millions of years before we come along, and will continue to travel this journey of life with us sharing their wisdom and affection, if we are willing to listen.

Which just leaves us to surrender our superiority and become the student. This is why we offer equine facilitated learning. Our sessions are about learning about the bigger picture. Being open to experiencing our world in a new way and to hearing and understanding what it truly means to be human. If it helps someone with their physical and mental health (and it may) - great! But it isn't our focus, because for us that isn't enough - we want the whole shebang - oneness with the universe and a heart full of creativity.

If that sounds like your thing, then come pay a visit, you will find that you are most welcome.

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#health #Wellbeing #equinefacilitatedlearning