A different setting for conversations, connection, and growth
Some teens find it hard to explain what they are feeling while sitting across from a counselor. Others may welcome the chance to be outdoors or focus on an activity while they talk. Equine therapy brings horses into the counseling process, giving young people and families another way to work toward their mental health goals. For families in Hurricane, Utah, it can be an option worth discussing when traditional office-based sessions do not feel like the right fit.
What Is Equine Therapy?
The term equine therapy is often used to describe services that involve horses, but those services can have different purposes. In mental health counseling, a licensed professional may incorporate interactions with horses into a treatment plan focused on a person’s emotional or behavioral goals.
The counselor—not the horse—provides the mental health treatment. Depending on the program, activities might include observing a horse, grooming, leading, or practicing tasks nearby. The counselor can help the client reflect on the experience and connect it to situations at home, school, or elsewhere. Activities and staff roles vary by provider. (doi.org)
This approach differs from a riding lesson. Learning to ride may be the goal of a riding program, while counseling that includes horses focuses on mental health goals. Some counseling programs are ground-based and do not involve riding. Ask the provider what their sessions include rather than assuming riding is part of the experience. (eagala.org)
How Might Equine Therapy Help Teens and Families?
A hands-on setting can give a teen something concrete to pay attention to while working with a counselor. For example, a counselor might invite a teen to notice how they respond when an activity does not go as planned, then discuss what could help them pause or ask for support. There is no single correct reaction, and a horse’s behavior should not be treated as a definitive reading of someone’s emotions.
Depending on a client’s needs and treatment plan, counseling with horses may offer opportunities to practice:
- Recognizing emotions: Noticing feelings such as frustration, uncertainty, or excitement as they arise.
- Communication: Asking questions, expressing preferences, and discussing what feels comfortable.
- Boundaries: Paying attention to personal space and learning when to pause or step back.
- Confidence: Trying a manageable new task with guidance and reflecting on the experience.
- Family connection: When family participation is appropriate and available, practicing listening and cooperation around a shared activity.
For a teen experiencing grief, anxiety, family changes, or difficulty communicating, these activities may provide a starting point for conversation. The experience should be tailored to the individual; being around horses is not a substitute for a thoughtful assessment or a supportive therapeutic relationship.
Did You Know?
- You do not have to be an experienced rider to ask about counseling with horses. Some programs work entirely on the ground. (eagala.org)
- Horse-related services can be recreational, educational, or clinical. Asking about the provider’s qualifications and the purpose of the service can help you understand what is being offered. (doi.org)
- Research on equine-assisted services for mental health is promising but still developing. A systematic review found limitations including small studies, inconsistent programs, and frequent lack of comparison groups, so results should be interpreted cautiously. (link.springer.com)
What Can a Session Look Like?
Every program is different, and an individual’s comfort and treatment goals should guide the experience. A provider may begin by learning about the client’s concerns, explaining safety expectations, and discussing what participation could involve. The client might spend time observing a horse before choosing whether to participate in a hands-on activity.
During or after an activity, the counselor may ask questions such as, “What did you notice?” or “What helped you feel comfortable?” A teen can then consider whether anything from that experience relates to a situation outside the session. Some clients may prefer to talk throughout an activity; others may need time before putting their experience into words.
Ask in advance whether a parent or caregiver attends, how information is shared, and what privacy and safety limits apply. These details are especially important when arranging counseling for a minor.
How to Decide Whether It Is a Good Fit
1. Start with your teen’s needs and preferences
Ask what your teen hopes will change and whether working around horses sounds comfortable or interesting. A teen does not need to be enthusiastic from the start, but their questions and concerns deserve attention. If they are afraid of horses, let the provider know; a different approach may be a better fit.
2. Ask about the counselor and the horse-related activities
Find out who provides the mental health counseling, what training they have in incorporating horses, and who is responsible for handling the animals. Ask how the team protects both clients and horses. Thoughtful planning for physical and emotional safety is important in animal-assisted interventions. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
3. Discuss safety and accessibility
Share relevant concerns about allergies, mobility, sensory sensitivities, past experiences with animals, or medical needs. Ask about the setting, required footwear, weather arrangements, and whether a client can observe from a comfortable distance or take a break. The provider can help determine whether the environment is appropriate.
4. Clarify goals and practical details
Ask how goals will be set and revisited, whether sessions involve individuals or family members, and how the approach might fit alongside other care. Also confirm the location, availability, fees, and whether your insurance plan may cover the service. Coverage can depend on the provider, plan, and how the service is billed.
5. Check in as you go
After a session, give your teen space to share what felt helpful or uncomfortable without pressing for private details. Encourage them to bring feedback to their counselor. Progress can look different for each person, and the treatment plan can be revisited if the approach is not meeting their needs.
Finding Equine Therapy Near Hurricane, Utah
Families looking for equine therapy in Hurricane may want a counseling option that feels approachable for a teen and practical for the household. S&S Counseling offers counseling services in the Hurricane area, including equine therapy, alongside other mental health services. Its Hurricane service information describes hands-on activities guided by a licensed therapist. (sandscounseling.org)
Before scheduling, contact the practice to confirm the current equine session location, availability, age suitability, and whether family members can participate. The counseling office and the location where horse-related activities take place may not be the same, so it is helpful to ask about travel and directions.
Talk With S&S Counseling
If you are considering equine therapy for your teen or family, we can help you ask the right questions and learn about available counseling options in the Hurricane area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my teen need experience with horses?
Not necessarily. Many activities can be introduced with guidance, but programs differ. Tell the provider about your teen’s experience and comfort level before the first appointment.
Will my teen ride a horse during counseling?
Not always. Some mental health programs use only ground-based activities. Ask S&S Counseling what its current sessions involve and whether riding is part of the service.
Can parents or other family members take part?
Family participation depends on the service, the counselor’s recommendations, and the client’s needs. Ask about available formats and discuss how parent involvement and your teen’s privacy will be handled.
Is equine therapy a replacement for other mental health care?
Not automatically. Counseling with horses may be one part of a broader care plan, or another approach may be more appropriate. Discuss existing treatment, medications, and care needs with the relevant licensed professionals before making changes.
How many sessions will my teen need?
There is no set number that fits everyone. The counselor can discuss a plan based on your teen’s goals, preferences, and progress, then revisit it with your family as appropriate.
What if my teen does not feel comfortable around horses?
Let the counselor know before scheduling. Your teen should not feel pressured to interact with an animal. The provider can discuss whether observing, making accommodations, or choosing a different counseling approach would be appropriate.
Helpful Terms
Equine-assisted counseling: Mental health counseling in which a qualified clinician incorporates interactions with horses into a client’s treatment.
Ground-based activity: An activity completed without riding, such as observing, grooming, or leading a horse.
Treatment plan: An agreed-upon guide to counseling goals and the approaches used to work toward them, which can be reviewed and adjusted over time.