Depression is a common condition that afflicts many individuals, including teens. Characterized by persistent low mood, sleep disturbances, fatigue, concentration issues, and more, depression is a challenging condition for teens to live with. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, approximately 5 million adolescents have at least one major depressive episode in the past year.1
Although equine therapy has been around for many years, it has recently gained popularity as therapists and individuals discover its numerous benefits.
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How Do Horses Help Heal Teen Depression?
Teens struggling with depression find that equine therapy provides the breakthrough they need to achieve mental wellness. So how do horses serve as a viable therapeutic option? Research reveals that horses are very intuitive to human emotions and will respond accordingly. They look to humans for cues as to how to react. For example, if someone is feeling anxious, the horse may respond in a more anxious manner. Whereas horses will exhibit a relaxed state of being as a response to the presence of calm humans. During studies, researchers noted that horses responded appropriately when they observed emotional cues from humans. Horses recognized the meaning behind things such as facial expressions, head carriage, body movements, and so on. Because of the horse’s highly intuitive and responsive nature, they react in a similar way to human emotions.2 Horses are highly sensitive and take on the emotions of the human interacting with them. In this way, they serve as a type of emotional sponge. They can absorb the energy of their human companion whether it’s positive or negative energy.Helping Teens Develop Healthy Expression
Teens who struggle with depression may have difficulties recognizing and expressing their emotions. They also may not understand how their behavior affects their lives and the lives of those around them. One step in healing involves teens being able to express themselves in a healthy manner. Through self-awareness and expression, a teen with clinical depression leverages some of the tools for recovery. Depression often results when people ruminate on their perception of themselves. However, when the individual turns from inward reflection to outward healthy expression, they may sense relief from symptoms of depression. Horses help teens to understand and express their emotions due to their unique ability to reflect human emotions. By serving as a mirror to the teen’s emotional states, horses help foster deeper self-awareness. The teen in equine therapy will notice that the horse responds differently to them based on their emotions.3 As the therapist guides the sessions, teens come to recognize their emotional state and gain a deeper understanding of their various mental states, behavioral patterns, and communication styles. Equine therapy opens the door to emotional exploration, thus fostering personal growth and emotional well-being.Complimentary Insurance Check
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How Horses Can Help Process Grief & Loss
When teens face grief due to a loss, it can be emotionally paralyzing for them. They may have trouble moving forward due to being unable to process and express the grief they experience. Horses offer a “larger-than-life” nonjudgmental presence. The horse’s sensitive nature allows space for teens to be themselves and express their emotional pain in a safe environment. Equine therapy offers a safe environment for teens to grieve without feeling judged, criticized, or misunderstood. Horses simply absorb emotions and accept the teens the way they are. Some individuals may feel trust was broken in their lives after experiencing a loss. Horses help them rebuild trust and confidence. Because horses are such large animals, teens need a certain level of trust when dealing with them. As they become more comfortable working with the horse, it helps them trust themselves and their environment. This is yet another step in healing grief.4 Finally, by bonding with a horse through various therapy activities, teens find new meaning and purpose in life. Loss can leave a young person feeling like they’ve lost their connection with the world. But time spent with the horse can offer a renewed sense of connection.Mindfulness & Connection
Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and mindful of what you are experiencing. You must also be aware of what is happening in the environment around you. Often, when teens are experiencing depression, they may numb themselves with substances to cope with the pain. Numbing removes them emotionally and mentally from what is occurring in the moment. Thus, they are present emotionally with what they are experiencing in their lives. Practicing mindfulness enables teens to journey through grief and loss and to begin healing. Equine therapy is an ideal component of the mindfulness journey. Horses, by their very nature, require close attention and focus. Due to the horse’s size, it’s crucial to pay attention to its behaviors and actions. Since the horse reflects the teen’s emotions, it will react in certain ways that the teen will then need to take notice of. For example, if the horse is jittery because of the teen’s behavior, they could modify their behavior to get the horse to act calmly. All of this requires awareness of the horse’s body language, vocal sounds, and more. In other words, the participant must practice mindfulness to connect with the horse’s body language and successfully complete whatever exercises the therapist has them do. Furthermore, the teen may need to adjust their own behavior to establish a strong connection with the horse. Consequently, people who have increased mindfulness will also begin to recognize their own unhelpful behaviors or patterns of thinking that need to be changed.5 Another practice often used in equine therapy involves participants placing their hand on the horse’s chest, near the heart. As they feel the steady beat of the horse’s heart, they can engage in synchronized breathing. In some instances, the teen will gently hug the horse while maintaining the breathing to foster a sense of closeness and connection. This technique enhances mindfulness in that the participant must focus on the horse’s heartbeat and breathing. Practicing this enhances a state of mindful presence, allowing the teen and horse to become attuned to each other’s energy.6Building Self-Worth & Confidence
As teens become more successful in their interactions with horses, the more confident they become.7 They recognize that they can influence these gentle giants to be calm and cooperative. Being able to accomplish their goals with the horse can have a tremendous impact on their sense of worth and self-confidence.Our Locations
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If your teen is struggling with behavioral and mental health concerns, Guardian Recovery is your ally in adolescent care. We’re deeply committed to supporting adolescents at every stage of their recovery journey—and to supporting their families during this challenging time. Plus, we offer equine therapy for adolescents as well as a host of therapeutic modalities.
Reach out now for a free and confidential conversation. Staff can listen to your concerns, answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and more. During the no-obligation call, they can even collect information to verify your insurance benefits for you and/or they can discuss alternative payment options if needed.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). Major Depression.
- Horse & Rider. (2024). The Equine Echo: How Horses Reflect Your Emotions Back to You.
- Trösch M, Cuzol F, Parias C, Calandreau L, Nowak R, Lansade L. Horses Categorize Human Emotions Cross-Modally Based on Facial Expression and Non-Verbal Vocalizations. Animals (Basel). 2019 Oct 24;9(11):862. doi: 10.3390/ani9110862. PMID: 31653088; PMCID: PMC6912773.
- Brick&Elm. (2024). Mindset: Navigating Grief and Loss with the Help of Horses
- Healthline. (2022). Horses for Anxiety — The Potential Benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy.
- WellPower. (2023). The Healing Power of Horses on Mental Health
- Psychology Today. (2016). Healing Horses: Equine Therapy for Grieving Children
