Equine Therapy for Addiction at Oxford
Humans and horses have long had a strong bond. But there are many more ways our 4-legged companions can help us than we previously realized. In fact, research suggests that they can even help someone struggling with addiction.1
In conjunction with conventional, evidence-based therapy methods, the use of therapeutic equine activities shows promise in helping people recover from substance use disorders (SUDs).1
This page will explain what equine therapy for addiction is and what the equine program entails at Oxford Treatment Center.
What Is Equine-Assisted Therapy?
Equine-assisted therapy, also called horse-assisted therapy, involves the active use of horses in the therapeutic process. During equine-assisted therapy, professionals guide individuals or groups through various activities with therapy horses.
The equine therapy program at Oxford Treatment Center—a drug rehab in Mississippi—is just one of the many addiction therapies offered during comprehensive addiction treatment.
Oxford’s Equine Therapy Program
Oxford offers a robust equine therapy program. Our wooded campus in Etta, MS, houses an on-site stable, indoor riding arena, and nature trails.
With 14 nurturing therapy horses and a team of highly experienced equine specialists, we are able to provide several therapeutic equine activities.
By offering a range of experiences with the horses, our equine program meets each patient where they are. Whether a person has spent time around horses or not, our equine specialists work with each person to gradually gain a comfort level.
Residential patients at Oxford may participate in equine-assisted learning (EAL), elective equine activities, and therapeutic trail rides.
Watch: Equine Therapy for Addiction Treatment | Healing Through Horses
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)
At Oxford, equine-assisted learning (EAL) is a process group program that residential patients attend once a week. During EAL, demonstrations are conducted that involve interactions between the horses and an equine therapist or members of the group. Each activity incorporates recovery concepts, such as:
- Powerlessness.
- Triggers.
- Communication
- Boundaries.
- Trust.
- Patience.
Recovery Concept Demonstration Example
An example of an equine-assisted learning activity that demonstrates the concept of being powerlessness over an addiction begins with a patient riding a saddled a horse in a controlled setting.
As the patient rides around, the equine specialist begins taking away the tools needed to ride, like a rein.
Then, a bucket with sweet grass is introduced and the horse’s attention goes to the bucket because horses cannot resist sweet grass. When this happens, the patient loses control of the situation and feels powerless.
Next, the riding tools are returned and it becomes possible again to direct the horse. This is likened to how the recovery tools and skills the person is gaining in treatment can enable them to direct their own recovery.
Elective Equine Activities
In addition to the weekly clinical process group comprised of equine-assisted learning, Oxford also offers other opportunities to participate in equine activities. Every afternoon, patients have the choice of which specialty group to attend. During this time, an equine-assisted learning activity is available.
A theme is chosen each week, such as family dynamics or vulnerability.
Examples of Themed Equine-Assisted Learning Activities
Family dynamics. One exercise that demonstrates separation anxiety involves placing 2 horses in the round pen. Patients observe the horses, see how they’re interacting with each other and whether they seem comfortable. Then, an equine specialist takes one horse away, and the patients observe what happens to the the horse that is left in the round pen.
The horse whinnies, paces, and searches for the other horse. The horse exhibits signs of anxiety. Patients can connect that behavior to real life and realize that this is how their family feels when they’re away and living in active addiction.
Vulnerability. For a person to be able to grow in therapy, they must be willing to be vulnerable. This can be shown with horses. When the horses allow patients to pick their feet up, the horse is being vulnerable by allowing and trusting the patient to do this.
On Thursday afternoons, anyone who would like to join is welcome to participate in cleaning the horse stalls. This equine activity offers participants a chance to give back to the horses and spend time doing physical labor while chatting with others in a relaxed environment.
Therapeutic Riding Program
Oxford also offers a therapeutic horse riding program. Miles of trails cover our beautiful 110 acre campus and 1 time a week patients have the option of going on a trail ride.
Trail rides are led by a staff member and open to no more than 5 patients at a time. Another staff member follows up the line of horses and patients get to experience a pleasant ride.
Trail riding gives participants time in nature and a chance to enjoy an activity while sober. Horse riding provides a calming activity outside of the therapy office in fresh air and sunshine.
Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy
Several benefits are associated with equine therapy for addiction treatment. Some of these benefits include:
- A calming experience for patients.
- Teaches patients recovery skills, such as emotional self-regulation, restoring trust, establishing clear boundaries.
- Supports addiction treatment retention.2
- Results in improved self-esteem, empowerment, feelings of freedom for patients.3
Equine Program FAQs
What Skills Are Taught in the Equine Program?
Skills that are taught in the equine program at Oxford include:
- Emotional self-regulation.
- Developing and restoring trust.
- Being vulnerable.
- Setting clear boundaries.
Is the Equine Program Available in All Levels of Care?
No, the equine program is not available for all levels of care. All equine program activities are available to patients in residential treatment (post-detox). For patients participating in outpatient levels of care, the EAL specialty group is available only.
Can All Patients Participate?
To participate in the equine program, patients must have completed medical detox.
The demonstration portion of our equine program is available to everyone (unless they have a horse or hay allergy).
To participate in the horse riding portion of the equine program, patients will need to pass a basic assessment and be medically cleared.
Patients will need to wear closed toed shoes or boots when they work with the horses. Oxford Treatment Center provides all other necessary equipment, including riding helmets.
How Often Do Patients Get to Work With the Horses?
Oxford patients have the chance to work with the horses several hours each week:
- Equine-Assisted Learning Clinical Process Group: 1 time a week for 1 hour
- Equine-Assisted Learning Specialty Group: Daily for 1 hour each day
- Therapeutic Trail Riding: 1 time a week for 1 hour
Oxford’s Equine Therapy Team
Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Mississippi
At Oxford Treatment Center, you’ll discover an ideal environment for recovery. Along with our equine program, inpatient guests also enjoy many other amenities, such as the fitness center, chef-prepared, balanced meals, volleyball and basketball courts, and a private lake.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please reach out to a compassionate admissions navigator at 727-382-2144. They can answer your questions about the facility and the levels of addiction treatment offered at Oxford Treatment Center, as well as walk you through the rehab admissions process.
Oxford is in-network with several major insurance providers. In addition to using insurance coverage, there are also other ways to pay for rehab. Check your insurance benefits for addiction treatment online now.
- Arnevik, E. A., Brenna, I. H., Kern-Godal, A., & Ravndal, E. (2016). More Than Just a Break from Treatment: How Substance Use Disorder Patients Experience the Stable Environment in Horse-Assisted Therapy. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 10, 99–108.
- Arnevik, E.A., Kern-Godal, A., Walderhaug, E. et al.(2015). Substance use disorder treatment retention and completion: a prospective study of horse-assisted therapy (HAT) for young adults. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 10, 21.
- White-Lewis, S. (2019). Equine-assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis. Nursing Open, 7(1), 58–67.