How Equine Therapy differs from Talk Therapy

"Where words fall short, experience can lead the way — equine therapy helps unlock deep patterns, regulate the nervous system and restore connection."

Therapy is deeply personal, and what works best can vary widely. At Track Clinic, we believe equine therapy offers something uniquely powerful. This isn’t about saying one therapy is better than another — it’s about showing what equine-assisted psychotherapy does differently, who it helps, and why it’s worth considering.

What Sets Equine Therapy Apart

Here are the main ways equine therapy differs from traditional talk-based therapies:

1. A Fully Embodied, Holistic Experience

Rather than spending most sessions sitting and talking, equine therapy brings your emotions, behaviours, and patterns of relating into the open. In the paddock, with horses present, your body, your reactions, your way of being show up naturally — often bypassing barriers that words alone can’t reach.

2. Often Effective Over a Shorter Period

Because equine therapy engages both body and mind, many people see shifts more quickly than in some traditional talk therapies. Blocks of 3–6 weekly sessions are common — followed by monthly maintenance if needed. Despite a higher hourly cost, the total cost can be comparable (or even lower) because fewer sessions are required overall.

3. More About ‘Doing’ Than Just ‘Talking’

   In many therapeutic modalities, talking is central. In equine therapy, you "do" as well — through interactions with horses, nonverbal communication, movement, and observing relational dynamics. This experiential learning helps you notice patterns in how you relate, feel, or behave, and practise new ways of being in a safe environment.

4. Relational Dynamics Made Visible

   With horses present, relationship patterns (between you and family, carers, teachers, etc.) often emerge without needing forced explanations. How a horse chooses to approach or avoid, how people naturally interact, where dynamics shift — these give clues about what’s going on under the surface. Whether in individual work, family pairs, group settings or teams, this relational openness helps uncover what needs healing.

5. Nature, Free-Roaming Horses and Reduced Pressure

   Sessions happen outdoors, in paddocks with free-roaming horses. This setting has extra benefits: reduced stress, natural mood regulation, and a gentler environment for growth. The pressure to explain or rationalise isn’t constant — the horses offer immediate, felt feedback instead of being an object to analyse. The emphasis is on presence, safety, and authentic meeting.

There are many forms of loosely termed ‘equine therapy’ currently available however they are not necessarily a form of evidence based psychotherapy. Some teach horsemanship techniques, life skills and therapeutic riding - which are all wonderful experiences for people of all ages and abilities - but are not focused on unblocking emotional difficulties unique to the individual and aiding the recovery of established mental health conditions.