Equine therapy is increasingly seen as a powerful way to support people who have experienced trauma or mental-health issues. Texada Island-based Equanimity Equine Foundation offers Healing through Horsemanship programs that specialize in helping children and adults through specialized coaching and activities with equine educators.
The programs are run by coaches Bridget Andrews and Katrin Glenn-Bittner together with four horses and one pony at Glenn-Bittner’s Mistral Farms. The 10-acre equestrian facility features an outdoor arena and round pen. Beginner to advanced riding lessons are also available.
The group does not provide counselling or therapy, but a safe and peaceful environment designed to help people heal on a physical level, according to Andrews.
“Our primary program is aimed at working with individuals one on one. The horses help them better identify what’s going on in their bodies and their emotions and help them better ground themselves.”
The healing programs are made available free of charge to those experiencing financial difficulty. The group is kicking off what it hopes will become an annual fundraising event next weekend. Ride the Rock takes place July 6 to 8 with horse riders and walkers travelling and camping over two days from Blubber Bay to Anderson Bay on Texada, a distance of more than 50 kilometres. Donations will be used to subsidize new clients in the program.
The group is hoping the event will get people thinking about mental health, the impact it has on such a large percentage of people in the community, and raise awareness of unique programs that can complement conventional medical treatment. Andrews said she believes having any kind of physical activity is critical in the treatment of mental health, and horses can help people make deeper connections.
“They’re very intuitive,” she said. “When you give out energy they give you feedback so quickly. It helps people determine what energy they’re putting out there.”
More information can be found on Equanimity Equine Foundation’s Facebook page.
