Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Equine Therapy Promotes Emotional Awareness


An author and the creator of several residential self-development programs, L. Jay Mitchell founded the West Virginia-based Greenbrier Academy for Girls in 2007. Under L. Jay Mitchell’s ownership, Greenbrier Academy offers treatment modalities such as art therapy, one-on-one therapy, and equine therapy.


An innovative way to help girls explore negative beliefs and personal narratives, equine therapy is an experiential approach that encourages students to interact with horses in a safe, nurturing environment. Horses are highly intelligent and perceptive, making them capable of mirroring their handler’s behaviors and state of mind. When the handler is anxious or uneasy, the horse responds accordingly.

Riding and participating in activities such as grooming and feeding fosters an emotional bond between handler and horse. As such, their engagements can help girls increase emotional awareness, build confidence, and develop a wider range of problem-solving skills. Moreover, equine therapy reinforces social abilities like interpersonal and communication skills, as well as offers physical benefits through improved balance, respiration, circulation, and muscle strength.

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