A Horse? Of Course!
By Sara B. Willerson, LCSW
Moonbeam - Photo by Teri Relyea Berbel
Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy is a growing field of experiential therapy through interactions
with horses. There are many definitions for this treatment modality but the basic idea is that
through hands-on experiences with horses (whether it be a mounted activity or on the ground),
participants are able to connect to themselves and the learned patterns and coping skills they
operate from in a nature based setting.
I am a psychotherapist by profession and my private practice incorporates equine facilitated
psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults. I live on a 19-acre ranch in Pilot Point, TX
with 6 horses, 2 dogs, 4 cats and all sorts of nature, flora and fauna surrounding us. I love
nothing more than sharing this special herd of horses with others in their healing process,
whether the clinical focus is trauma, addiction, depression, disordered eating, anxiety, grief, or
life transitions.
When people come out to the ranch for a session, their first interaction is to meet the horses. The
intention behind this is the reminder of how we initiate and create relationship with any new
endeavor or being that comes into our path. Some may view horses as motorcycles that one
simply jumps on and takes off at a gallop into the wild blue yonder. In reality, horses are sentient
and relational beings. They are also prey animals. As prey animals, horses must know what is
coming into their presence at all times, as that is what keeps them safe. When we humans
approach them, they are scanning us to “see” what we are bringing into their space. You may
have been around experienced horse people who have said, “Be careful! They’ll know if you are
afraid!” Horses know if we are happy, mad, sad, scared or frustrated because emotions are
simply information for them. So what they are looking for in us when we come close to them is
whether or not WE are aware of our internal state as well. If we are not aware, or are trying to
mask our internal state, horses pick up on this disconnect and see it as a threat. Why should they
trust us if we are oblivious to all that is swirling around and inside of us? So in addition to the
reminder of emotional agility, a primary piece of equine therapy is allowing the horse to be a
barometer of sorts for us as we approach and interact with them. They will always let us know
through their body language or interactions with us that we have stepped out of our state of
authenticity.
As clients begin the process of meeting this very special herd, it is always fascinating to hear
their first impressions as they interact with each of these four-legged therapists. One of the
horses, Moonbeam, is a small bay mare with a strip of white down her forehead and two white
socks. She has a long, thick, black mane that is often decorated with braids of unknown origin (a
story for another time). Her tail is black undulating waves that flow to the ground. She has a
proud and graceful carriage and always positions herself in the center of all activity, watchful
and aware of her herd and surroundings.
Peoples’ first impressions of this small beauty are always varied: “aloof”, “sweet” “safe to be
around”, “accepting of me”, “paying attention to everything else but me”, and “kept her
distance” - just to name a few comments I have heard. In this herd, Moonbeam is the leader and
her leadership style is very interesting. I watch her often and see her inviting each member of the
herd to share their unique and special gifts, as that is what creates the power and stability in their
equine family. She accepts each horse for who they are and she never tries to change them. She
is a quiet and peaceful leader who is, at the same time, very clear in her presence and holding her
space with the others.
Whenever clients come to the ranch, Moonbeam will position herself in the middle of the herd so
she can see and know all that is happening in her environment. As clients enter into the pasture,
she is always observant of them. When she works with a client, she has a very clear message to
deliver and usually makes herself known from the beginning. “Ann” is a client who came out to
the ranch for a session with the horses. After meeting the herd, she decided to work with
Moonbeam, saying she felt a “connection” with her. Ann’s goal for the session was to put a
halter on the horse. She had never done this before so I showed her how a halter works. She
walked across the pasture, halter in hand, to Moonbeam and greeted her. Moonbeam stayed still
and watched her quietly. Ann faltered a bit with the straps of red leather and Moonbeam stood
patiently as she attempted to figure out how to place it on her head. After she finished putting the
halter on, Moonbeam started throwing her head around which seemed to be her way of getting
Ann’s attention that something wasn’t quite right. Ann looked around and noticed another horse
in the pasture happened to have a halter on. Ann looked at the other horse and then back at
Moonbeam. She realized she had not put the halter on correctly. Ann laughed and apologized to
Moonbeam for all the backward placed straps across her face. Moonbeam continued to stand
patiently while Ann took the halter off and put it back on properly. Moonbeam gently lowered
her head and came in closer to Ann as if to thank her.
Ann was then invited to go for a walk with Moonbeam. I watched as Ann took the lead rope and
took a few steps away from the horse. With slack hanging in the space between herself and
Moonbeam, Ann said in a quiet voice, “Come on Moonbeam… let’s go.” Moonbeam stood still
and watched Ann. Ann repeated this action several times before realizing it wasn’t working. Ann
walked back to Moonbeam and whispered encouraging words in her ear, petting her cheek.
Moonbeam continued to stand still and look at Ann. Ann tried again and pulled a bit more on the
lead rope this time. Moonbeam took one step, stopped and then lifted her right front leg and
crossed it up and down her left front leg, then placed it back down in its original resting position
– almost like a ballerina movement. Ann laughed at this and continued to try and convince
Moonbeam to move forward. Moonbeam continued to quietly look at Ann and hold her ground.
Ann stopped and moved closer to her horse partner and stood quietly with her. I asked Ann what
was happening for her and her face lit up with a beautiful smile. Ann said that Moonbeam
reminded her of “a brick wrapped in velvet.” She spoke of her own recovery journey and how
she was preparing to spend time with her family. She said that Moonbeam’s message to her was
about “graceful boundaries.” Ann realized she can create boundaries for herself in a quiet and
clear manner, both for herself and when interacting with others. She recalled that previously,
boundaries had always been challenging for her. She did not feel she had ever known how to put
them in place. Her attention had also been drawn to her own communication style – that she is
not always clear in how she communicates her needs and wishes, both with herself and others.
Moonbeam reminded her how to create this space for herself, quietly and peacefully. She felt this
was exactly what she needed in this next part of her healing journey.
Moonbeam has recently been very consistent in her message about boundaries and wells of
internal strength when she engages with clients. I have watched her emphasize this over and over
throughout the last few weeks. As I reflect on this message she shares with her human partners, I
like to consider the human perspective, especially when it comes to the healing process and what
happens as we embark on this powerful journey. Are we operating from a place of old
pictures/views/patterns about ourselves and/or others in our life? Do we have a definitive
perception of how things should be or have to be done? Is our view of healing in absolutes?
That there is only one way? And what about boundaries? Do we have boundaries for our self and
with others in our life? How do we set those boundaries? Loosely, like a well-guarded fortress,
or in a clear, graceful manner as Moonbeam does?
Moonbeam reminds us of the importance of this State of Being versus State of Doing, which is
The Way of the Horse. The Way of the Horse is being present, in the moment, flowing and
flexible. The Way of the Horse involves a sense of Self, knowing of one’s internal gifts and
personal power. The internal knowing that we are able to stand in our space and power, connect
with our Self, and flow in cooperation with all that is around us in our daily journey. Sometimes
boundaries have to be created and sometimes reinstated. As Moonbeam so clearly models for all
of us, we can hold our space, be present in the moment and graceful and flowing in the process.
If a horse can do it, of course we can too!
Sara B. Willerson, LCSW is an equine facilitated psychotherapist in Texas. Together with her equine
partners, they invite children and adults to experience the healing power of the horse. For more
information, please visit www.horsesheartandsoul.com