Cindy Freishtat

Healing with Horses is an Equine-Assisted Learning program which helps develop life skills in children with complex trauma and those with special needs. The program teaches children how to communicate with their horse through body language and energy which helps them develop a greater capacity for empathy, social and self-awareness. It is a collaborative effort between a professional horse specialist (an equine specialist), the horses and the client(s).

This is an experiential mode of therapy, which means it is based on activities on the ground with the horses. There is no horseback riding involved. These activities are then processed to understand emotions, behaviors, and patterns which can lead to healing and change.

Everything that happens in the horse paddock and the woods is a parallel to life. Part of the power of the model of equine assisted learning is that clients are able to create in the outside realm, a symbolic, physical representation of what is happening in their internal selves. Everything in the paddock has the potential to become a metaphor, whether it is the horses, the gate, a bird, the dirt, or a barrel.

In addition, we offer Therapeutic Horseback Riding, where in addition to teaching traditional horseback riding skills, we focus on the emotional and psychological benefits of horseback riding. These often involve the behavioral and emotional support we provide. Our students come to us with anxiety, low self esteem, depression and lack of emotional regulation skills. Horseback riding provides not only fun, outdoor activities, where the child can be challenged to learn how to ride a horse, but also learn critical life skills in the process.

Horseback riding involves a unique repetitive motion that activates various parts of the brain. The child’s body moves in sync with the horses gait and this constant need to adjust and maintain balance has a calming effect on the brain, making it easier for riders to regulate their emotions. Students work one-on-one with our certified teaching instructor, to learn riding skills, while also practicing mindfulness to become more self aware, and also enhancing the bond with their horse. Through this approach, riders not only gain the physical benefits of horseback riding, but also emotional, social, and cognitive benefits as well.

What differentiates us from a traditional riding program are the horsemanship skills we teach, but also the behavioral and emotional support we provide, setting students up with the foundational skills needed to navigate the world, grounded, confident and with a firm footing.

Certifications: Path Certified Equine Specialist and CTRI Instuctors

Geographic Area Serviced: King and Queen County, King William County, Essex County, Gloucester County, Westmoreland County