Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy

Spirited Connections Counselling is proud to offer Equine Assisted Therapy, where you are guided into relationship with the horse(s) for the purposes of growth, learning and change. 

Our programs are suitable for children (5+), adolescents, and adults. Participants are welcomed to the farm to participate individually, or in couples, sibling units, social groups or as a family.
Equine assisted therapy 

At Spirited Connections, we offer a range of equine-related services, including equine assisted therapy, equine assisted learning, and horsemanship classes. 

These service is covered by most insurance companies. 


Check out this amazing introduction to Equine Assisted Therapy as featured on Shaw TV Calgary.
Equine Assisted Therapy is an experiential (hands-on) model which uses horses as co-therapists in the therapeutic process to support you towards your goals. As horses are highly attuned to their environments, they are able to pick up on the most subtle physical, emotional and mental states, and through corresponding changes in their behavior, mirror back this information for the participant. This allows you to work through your concerns/challenges by increasing your awareness into your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours and then to develop and practice the skills necessary to promote positive change in your life. Equine Assisted Therapy is the only approach which allows participants this scope of learning within a single session. Moreover, this works equally well with relationship dynamics, as horses are part of a herd consisting of many distinct personalities and characteristics. 

Equine Assisted Therapy Can Help You With:

  • ADD and ADHD
  • Addiction
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Bereavement/Grief and Loss
  • Body Image Issues
  • Childhood Trauma, Abuse or Neglect
  • Cognitive Distortions
  • Combat Trauma
  • Communication Challenges
  • Corporate Team Building
  • Delinquency/Deviance
  • Domestic Violence
  • Dysthymia and Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Fears and Phobias
  • Illness Adjustment
  • Intra- and Inter-Personal Conflict
  • Lifestyle Change (eg. retirement)
  • Loneliness and Isolation
  • Mindfulness and Acceptance
  • Parenting Challenges
  • Personal Development
  • Personal Empowerment 
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
  • Relationship Building
  • Self-Esteem and Self-Concept
  • Sexual Assault
  • Thought Distortions
  • Trust

Equine Assisted Therapy Can Help You Develop Skills Including:

  • Anger Management
  • Assertiveness
  • Attachment/Relationship Building
  • Awareness and Insight
  • Behavioral Regulation
  • Body Awareness
  • Boundary Setting
  • Cooperation and Partnership
  • Compassion and Empathy
  • Creative Thinking
  • Emotional Coping/Regulation
  • Expressing Thoughts and Feelings
  • Giving and Receiving Feedback
  • Improved Body Image
  • Improved Concentration
  • Improved Non-verbal Communication 
  • Increased Intuition
  • Leadership and Responsibility
  • Mindfulness and Acceptance
  • Nurturing and Self-care
  • Patience
  • Positive Coping
  • Problem Solving
  • Respect for Self and Others
  • Responsibility
  • Self-monitoring and Self-control
  • Self-esteem and Self-confidence
  • Stress-management and Relaxation
How our horses help with Confidence!
Equine Assisted Therapy with Children!
Helping with Chronic Pain!
Coming for Therapy?

Spirited Connections Counselling offers equine assisted therapy for children, (4+) adolescents and adults. Our counselling sessions occur on our farm in Airdrie, Alberta. Participants are asked to wear close-toed shoes and weather appropriate attire. 

Please note that this is not a riding program. 
Book an Appointment
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