Horse-assisted therapy and the Gestalt school of therapy

Horse therapy includes a particular specialization known as horse-assisted psychotherapy. It is related to the Gestalt school of therapy for emotionally-centered work, in the here and now, and in the widening of the patient’s self-awareness. This is all that this therapeutic horse-assisted experience can do for your mental health:

  •  Improves the management of emotions.
  • Increases self and situational awareness.
  • Improves natural body communication (non-verbal communication).
  • Establishes a deep, synergic relationship with other people.
  • Reduces stress and anxiety, lack of satisfaction, depression, apathy, fears and mental blocks.
  • Provides the necessary tools to overcome traumas and crisis situations.
  • Makes it easier to discover new life experiences.
  • Increases the sensation of emotional well-being and improves quality of life.
  • Boosts personal development in areas such as presence, conscience and responsibility.
How do these horse-assisted rehab therapy sessions work?
They consist of individual or group sessions that last between 45 to 60 minutes, occurring in a natural environment. There, the patient establishes a relationship with the creature, looking, at first, to establish the well-known man-beast bond that permits a patient to recognize sensations, emotions and feelings. That is to say, for them to connect in an instinctual level. Afterwards, through guided exercise, the patient should discover and control the interactions in order to recognize analogue situations in his daily life. It’s important to mention that the relationship with the horse is of cooperation and not of pure obedience, in order to maintain both parties in balance.
No previous experience is required, but a willingness to begin an integral therapeutic process, different from traditional ones, is key. The use of horse-assisted therapy is a personal-development option open to anyone who wishes to improve many aspects of their lives, regardless of age or physical condition.


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