Equine-Assisted Activities

When most people think of horses, they think of riding them. However, some of the biggest benefits from equine therapy is with both your feet on the ground.

Roughout Ranch's quiet environment is perfect for interacting with our small herd of horses. Supervised to maintain the highest degree of safety, participants learn how to care for the horses as they bond with them. Horses are large animals and require a lot of care, including grooming, haltering, leading and even just playing with them to keep them entertained. 

Participants will learn how to properly groom a horse and experience the bond this creates. Having something else to care for such as a horse is very therapeutic, both as the participant reaches a feeling of accomplishment and as the bond grows between horse and groomer.

While horses are massive animals, we lead them with a mere halter and rope and a few key things the horses are trained to respond to. Participants will learn how to handle a horse with ease, guide them in the correct direction, and be safe on the ground beside a horse.

Obstacle courses are a fun challenge for some participants. We’ll set up a short obstacle course that participants then must lead their horse through, just as you may be encountering obstacles and need someone to help you. Facilitators can then use these experiences to help participants work through their own obstacles in their everyday lives.

Horses are social animals, even with humans. Participants might find themselves starting out grooming, but end up finding the best therapy just by laughing at a playful horse or scratching his forehead. Equine-assisted activities fits a broad scope of activities we do here, but all of it is, safe interaction with the horses in the quiet of the peaceful ranch.