At Honey Lake Clinic, we offer a unique equine program designed to enhance your journey toward mental health and recovery. While not a certified therapy program, our equine activities provide therapeutic benefits by integrating spiritual principles and hands-on experiences that encourage self-reflection and emotional growth.
“Horses are truly amazing creatures. They’re non-judgmental. But they have an ability to discern and then mirror the attitudes and behaviors of the human working with them. Simply put, horses will show you things about yourself, if you’re willing to look.”
– Honey Lake Clinic’s Equine Program Horseman
How Equine Activities Can Support Your Healing
Our equine program allows individuals to connect with horses in ways that reveal thought and behavior patterns related to mental health or addiction struggles. Participants engage in activities such as trail rides and grooming, offering a meaningful opportunity for self-awareness in a supportive and reflective environment.
What Is Equine-Assisted Therapy?
While our program offers therapeutic benefits, it is important to note that equine-assisted therapy refers to structured therapy involving horses under the supervision of certified professionals. At Honey Lake Clinic, we offer equine activities that complement other treatment methods and provide valuable insights, but our program is not a certified equine therapy program.
How Does Our Faith-Based Equine Program Work?
Horses are majestic, gentle creatures, and their presence can stir deeply buried emotions. By interacting with our horses, individuals can gain insights into their mental health and recovery journey, learning valuable lessons about respect, empathy, and communication. These activities encourage a connection to creation and can enhance the overall healing process, reflecting the spiritual principles that guide our faith-based approach.
What Our Equine Program Offers
One of the distinctive aspects of working with horses is the real-time feedback they provide. Horses are highly intuitive animals that can sense subtle changes in mood and body language, allowing participants to reflect on how their internal states manifest outwardly. This non-verbal communication can offer unique insights that are often missed in other settings.
Additionally, the hands-on interaction—whether leading, grooming, or simply being with the horse—can have a calming effect. For individuals who find it difficult to express themselves verbally or feel disconnected from their emotions, these activities can provide grounding and open up new paths to personal growth.
Examples of Activities in Our Equine Program
Participants in our equine program engage in various activities designed to promote confidence and self-awareness, such as:
- Grooming and caring for the horse
- Participating in guided trail rides
- Observing and interpreting the horse’s reactions
- Learning to communicate with the horse through body language
The Benefits of Equine Activities
Our equine program offers several therapeutic benefits, including:
- Identifying and coping with negative thoughts and feelings
- Improving communication skills
- Setting boundaries
- Overcoming fears
- Building trust
Research has shown that interactions with horses can lower blood pressure, alleviate stress, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
A Spiritual Approach to Equine Experiences at Honey Lake Clinic
What sets Honey Lake Clinic’s equine program apart is our focus on integrating spirituality with therapeutic benefits. We believe horses can play a valuable role in helping individuals connect with God and reflect on His attributes, such as strength, gentleness, and humility. These qualities, mirrored in the horses we work with, help individuals deepen their understanding of both themselves and their faith.
Healing Together with Our Horses
One of the most rewarding aspects of our equine program is the opportunity to work with horses that, like our patients, have experienced challenges and are on their own path to recovery. As you help train and care for a horse, you’ll witness both the horse’s progress and your own, creating a mutual journey of healing and growth.
Our equine program is just one example of the comprehensive and faith-informed care available at Honey Lake Clinic. Through our focus on the whole person—spirit, mind, and body—we provide individuals with the tools they need for transformative growth.
Contact Us Today
Reach out to Honey Lake Clinic at 888.428.0562 or connect with us online to begin your path toward healing. At Honey Lake, we’re here to support you with compassionate care, experienced professionals, and a serene environment dedicated to your recovery.
