EAGALA and Mossburn

The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) is dedicated to improving the mental health of individuals, families, and groups around the world by setting the standard of excellence in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning, also known as "horse therapy" or "equine therapy.

We are certified members of EAGALA.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy

At the top of the EAGALA resource ladder is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)

EAP is experiential in nature.

This means that participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviours, and patterns. 

EAP uses horses experientially (i.e. by means of experience) for emotional growth and learning.  It is a collaborative effort between a qualified therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address specific goals. 

Because of its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term or "brief" approach.
This approach has been compared to the ropes courses used by therapists, treatment facilities, and human development courses around the world  but EAP has the added advantage of using horses - dynamic and powerful living beings.

Be aware though that not all organisations that use horses in mental wellbeing schemes practice Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

This is for all manner of reasons:

• Under the EAGALA methods you have to use a properly qualified mental health professional - and this costs money
• You have to find a properly qualified mental health professional who is willing to work with animals(!)
• You have to find a properly qualified mental health professional who is willing to retrain – and it takes a lot of ongoing training to become (and stay) a member of this association
• You have to find a properly qualified mental health professional who understands that the focus of EAP is not riding or horsemanship – it is setting up ground activities involving the horses which will require the client or group to apply certain skills.  

Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem-solving, leadership, work, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence, and attitude are several examples of the tools used and developed by EAP.