I am a lifelong rider and psychotherapist for the past 10 years. I am currently a doctoral student in psychology and hope to do my dissertation on something related to equine assisted therapy. If anyone has any experience, information, knowledge, contacts, or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
There is a ranch in Colorado called Zumas (www.zumasrescueranch.com) that is working on a horse-assisted psychotherapy program; I think it’s geared for children in the foster care system.
Another one you could try is Kim Meeder’s Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch (www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org)in Oregon.
I do therapeutic riding and carriage driving.
I’ve worked with a variety of children and adults with special needs and particularly with young people who have suffered trauma or abuse.
There’s a great facility in Davidsonville, MD called Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR). Their Web site is www.horsesthatheal.org.
And try PMing equineaartworks, who is just establishing her own program at her farm (www.borrowedfreedom.org).
Heart Land Horse Rescue is also starting up an equine assisted therapy program.
Smack me upside the head for not mentioning that as well!!!
[QUOTE=DressageGeek “Ribbon Ho”;4426684]
Smack me upside the head for not mentioning that as well!!![/QUOTE]
Consider yourself smacked!
Contact the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. This is what they specialize in, peer reviewed research that you will need. It’s the best place to start. 
http://www.e3assoc.org/Equine-Experiential-Education-New
Within the field of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is the E3 model of Equine Experiential Education. While EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) in the Eagala model requires the team of a therapist and horse specialist, the E3 team is a dually trained approach providing both members of the team the certification as a Certified Equine Assisted Training Specialist. This is a coaching/experiential education approach rather than a therapeutic model. It is appropriate for HORSE PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATORS, COACHES, RECREATIONAL THERAPISTS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHES, CORPORATE TRAINERS, and others who are not licensed as mental health providers.
You can learn about the difference in the EA models here:
The academic community is beginning to offer academic certifications in specialties in equine assisted work such as the Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TR-EAP) being developed at the University of Denver. See an article/interview here:
http://horsesteachingandhealing.com/articles/
Academic Certifications such as these will definitely elevate the professionalism of the EA field.
You are more than welcome to seen me a PM or ask questions directly on this thread as well if you like. I have my doctorate in occupational therapy (OT) and offer equine assisted OT services (common term used is hippotherapy but this only narrowly defines what I do and is confused a lot with therapeutic/adaptive riding).
I also sit on the Horse and Human Research Foundation scientific committee and have recently had my study published (peer-reviewed journal) regarding my work. I also work closely with mental health professionals that provide equine assisted mental health services, particularly for children who experience trauma.
Whoops, it appears this was an old thread that was recently pulled up again. Never mind then, but of course if the original person who posted this thread or anyone else is interested feel free to PM me.
