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Equine-Assisted Therapy Programs

Equine-assisted therapy involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, communication skills, and trust-building in addiction recovery. Horses provide non-judgmental feedback and opportunities for healing.

Found 300 treatment centers offering equine therapy across the United States.

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Showing 6 of 300 equine therapy treatment centers

Ohio Treatment Center

Ohio Treatment Center, located in Toledo, OH, provides extensive rehabilitation services for adults facing substance use issues alongside mental health challenges. The facility offers a range of options including intensive outpatient programs, outpatient daytime treatment, and partial hospitalization. Tailoring its services to meet the unique needs of various groups, including active military members and adult men and women, the center ensures a comprehensive approach. Treatment methodologies such as 12-step support, anger management, and short-term interventions are employed to deliver individualized care. Aiming to serve both adult and young adult populations of all genders, the center prioritizes high-quality, evidence-informed treatment within a nurturing atmosphere.

Ohio State East Hospital

Ohio State East Hospital, located in Columbus, OH, delivers extensive addiction rehabilitation services tailored for both adults and young adults. This facility features hospital-based inpatient detoxification along with various treatment programs that provide round-the-clock care. Emphasizing 12-step facilitation, anger management, and brief intervention strategies, the center serves individuals dealing with both mental health and substance use challenges. Additionally, specialized programs are designed for adult males and females separately, ensuring a focused approach to care. Ohio State East Hospital is a reputable option for individuals pursuing personalized and effective substance use treatment in a hospital environment.

Nova Behavioral Health Inc

Situated in Dayton, OH, Nova Behavioral Health Inc offers a wide array of services for those dealing with addiction, including detox services and various treatment options for substance use, as well as transitional living arrangements like sober homes and halfway houses. The facility provides intensive outpatient care, long-term residential programs, and standard outpatient services, employing evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and 12-step facilitation. Nova Behavioral Health features specialized programs designed for active duty military members, as well as distinct offerings for adult men and women, ensuring a comprehensive approach to treatment that accommodates a variety of individuals. The center is dedicated to delivering personalized, high-standard care for both adults and young adults, regardless of gender.

Nova Behavioral Health Inc

Situated in Dayton, OH, Nova Behavioral Health Inc provides an array of addiction treatment services, including detoxification, comprehensive substance use therapy, transitional accommodations, and sober living environments. The center features various care options such as long-term residential stays, detoxification programs, and round-the-clock support. Nova emphasizes personalized treatment through methods like 12-step facilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. It also offers specialized programs for active duty military members as well as services tailored for adult men and women. With a commitment to quality care and customized treatment strategies, Nova Behavioral Health Inc is recognized as a leading provider of effective rehabilitation solutions for both adults and young adults.

OhioGuidestone
Perrysburg, OH

OhioGuidestone, located in Perrysburg, OH, provides a wide range of treatment options for individuals struggling with substance use, as well as specialized support for those facing concurrent substance use and severe mental health challenges in adults, and emotional issues in children. The center offers various programs, including intensive outpatient programs, outpatient day treatment, and other outpatient services. With an emphasis on personalized care, OhioGuidestone employs methods such as 12-step facilitation, brief intervention techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. This facility serves adults and seniors of any gender, fostering a nurturing atmosphere conducive to healing. OhioGuidestone's dedication to high-quality care and customized treatment plans positions it as a leading option for individuals seeking effective rehabilitation solutions.

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Napoleon, OH

OhioGuidestone, located in Napoleon, OH, provides specialized rehabilitation services for adult men facing challenges related to substance abuse and concurrent mental health issues. The center offers various options including outpatient services, residential care, and short-term residential programs, employing proven methodologies like 12-step facilitation, brief interventions, and cognitive behavioral therapy to ensure well-rounded support. Catering to a diverse age range from young adults to seniors, this facility is dedicated to guiding male clients throughout their recovery process. OhioGuidestone prides itself on delivering high-quality care and personalized treatment strategies, establishing itself as a reliable resource for those in need of effective addiction recovery in a nurturing setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Equine Therapy

Equine-assisted therapy (also called equine-assisted psychotherapy or equine-facilitated therapy) involves guided interactions with horses to promote emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing in addiction recovery. Facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists working together, this experiential approach provides unique opportunities for insight, trust-building, and personal transformation.

Why Horses?

Horses are large, powerful prey animals with highly developed social awareness and sensitivity to emotional states. They respond authentically to human emotions and energy, providing immediate, honest feedback without judgment or hidden agendas. Horses mirror human emotional states, react to incongruence between words and feelings, and respond to genuine, calm presence. This makes them powerful partners in therapeutic work.

Therapeutic Activities

Equine therapy sessions might include:

  • Grooming and Care: Calming, meditative activities building relationship and responsibility
  • Leading Exercises: Navigating obstacles together, practicing boundaries and clear communication
  • Liberty Work: Allowing horse to choose whether to connect, exploring themes of trust and relationship
  • Ground Exercises: Activities addressing specific therapeutic goals like teamwork, patience, or emotional awareness
  • Observation and Reflection: Discussing experiences and insights applicable to recovery

What Equine Therapy Addresses

Working with horses helps develop trust (essential for recovery relationships), set healthy boundaries, communicate authentically, regulate emotions, build confidence and self-efficacy, practice responsibility and consistency, develop patience and present-moment awareness, and process trauma in experiential rather than purely verbal ways. Metaphors from horse interactions apply directly to recovery challenges and relationships.

No Horse Experience Needed

Equine therapy typically occurs on the ground without riding. No previous horse experience is required or expected. Professional equine specialists ensure safety, teach necessary skills, and work alongside therapists. Initial nervousness around horses often becomes therapeutic itself - learning to manage fear, ask for support, and build confidence through gradual exposure and successful interactions.

Integration in Treatment Programs

Equine therapy works best integrated into comprehensive treatment programs alongside traditional therapies like CBT, individual counseling, group therapy, and other evidence-based approaches. The experiential, outdoor, nature-based format provides balance to office-based talk therapy. Many find equine therapy uniquely powerful for accessing emotions and insights difficult to reach through conversation alone.

Equine therapy resources:

Medically ReviewedUpdated: January 2026
Sources:SAMHSANIDACDC

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