02/15/2026
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*Example of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Wednesday
Team member: “Being safe around the horses is very important. What do you know about how to be safe around horses?”
Client: “Don’t stand behind them.”
Team member: “Anything else?”
Client: “No.”
Team member: “Why should you not stand behind them?”
Client: “They can kick you.”
Team member: “Yes, they can. Do you ever stand in front of people?”
Client furrows their brow: “Yes.”
Team member: “People can punch, kick and bite you. How do you decide when it is safe to stand in front of someone?”
Client: “Gosh, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”
Team member: “Let’s do an experiment. I am going to do different things with my body and I want you to tell me if you’d stand in front of me.”
Client: “Okay.”
Team member stands quietly, arms relaxed by their side, smiling, eyes twinkling.
Client: “Yes, I would stand in front of you.”
Team member becomes agiated, moving around, mumbling to themsleves
Client: “No, I would give you distance and not stand in front of you.”
Team member stands still, eyes hard, glaring at client, fists clenched, breathing hard.
Client: “Absolutely not.”
Team member stands in one spot with a far away look in their eye, looking up, not really paying attention but body is relaxed.
Client: “Probably not.”
Team member: “Okay, now let’s talk about each one. Why would you choose to stand in front of me when my body is like this (Team member recreates the first example of being relaxed and open).
Client: “Your body is relaxed, you are smiling, and your eyes are friendly.”
Team member: “Okay, you don’t feel any threat?”
Client: “That’s right.”
Team member: “Do I see you?”
Client: “Yes.”
Team member: “How does your body feel around me?”
Client: “Calm.”
Team member: “Okay, let’s move on to how you experienced the second example.” (Team member recreates the agitated person mumbling). Why would you not stand in front of me now?”
Client: “Your body is tense, you are moving around and not paying attention. You seem upset.”
Team member: “Do I see you?”
Client: “Not sure and it feels like you could lash out at any moment.”
Team member: “How does your body feel around me?”
Client: “Tight, uncomfortable.”
Team member: “Okay, let’s move to the next one. (Team member recreates the angry person). Would you stand in front of me now?”
Client: “Absolutely not! You could hurt me.”
Team member: “Do I see you?”
Client: “Yes, and you are threatening.”
Team member: “What am I doing that says I am threatening?”
Client: “Your fists are clenched, you are glaring at me.”
Team member: “How does your body feel around me?”
Client: “Upset. I want to leave.”
Team member: “Okay, let’s do the last one. (Team member recreates the distracted person) Would you stand in front of me?”
Client: “No.”
Team member: “Do I see you?”
Client: “I don’t think so.”
Team member: “What makes you think that?”
Client: “You are walking around looking everywhere else. Your attention is not on me.”
Team member: “How does your body feel around me?”
Client: “Unsure. Like I need to watch you.”
Team member: “Wow! You did amazing navigating all those experiences. I noticed you evaluated each experience and did not have a blanket rule about not standing in front of someone because of what they could possibly do.”
Client nods.
Team member: “That is what we want you to do here, evaluate the horse and the situation. Notice if they see you, what their bodies are telling you and what your body is telling you about what is happening. Learning how to evaluate each moment will keep you safer than having a blanket rule that only applies to horses and not other areas of your life. Of course, you can always choose to apply the rule and avoid standing behind a horse. That is your choice.”
*All examples are of made up clients. This situation commonly occurs. We provide these examples to help people understand what this type of service maybe like.
