Welcome to Indian Oaks Equine Assisted Services

At Indian Oaks EAS, we provide psychotherapy utilizing a team approach prescribed by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).

ABOUT THERAPY

Indian Oaks Equine Assisted Services implements equine assisted psychotherapy to counsel victims of sexual and physical abuse and their families.  The use of horses provides a unique experiential element to therapy.  Experiential therapies offer the opportunity for the client to try alternative problem solving skills as well as allow for active and constant introspection.  EAP also allows clients to increase self esteem, self awareness, communication, perseverance, healthy boundaries, trust, communication, responsibility and confidence.  In EAP, we use a solution focused treatment approach which provides support in helping clients resolve current problems and change long-standing behavioral patterns on their own.

WHY HORSES?

First, a horse’s size alone can be somewhat intimidating and fearful. Overcoming the fear of working with a half ton animal can provide the confidence necessary to deal with other life challenges and intimidating situations.

Horses are social and much like humans. They have definite roles within their herds which are very similar to those within families. Horses have personalities, moods and attitudes which distinguish them as individuals.

Horses are prey animals and rely heavily on their environment for signs of threat. Therefore, horses have an innate ability to mirror human emotion. Many times a client will say “I’m feeling good today,” but their body language and affect are contradictory. Often times the horse will cue us (treatment team) on the discrepancies between the client's inner versus outer thoughts and feelings.