Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Experience Equine Therapy as a way to reconnect with yourself—through the empathy and presence of a horse. Discover, process, and grow through the healing experience of working with animals.
The Sour Project is partnered with Dalewood Icelandic Horses to provide this service.
To Book Equine Therapy, please send us a message on our Contact page.
Equine Therapy is a form of therapy that involves guided, ground-based interactions with horses to support emotional growth and healing. Facilitated by a trained mental health professional, it helps individuals explore thoughts, behaviors, and patterns in a calm, reflective environment
Note - Equine Therapy is a recognized form of Psychotherapy in Ontario, and therefore must be conducted by a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).
What is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
How equine therapy supports confidence development
Non-Judgmental Feedback
Horses respond to a person’s energy, emotions, and behavior in real time. When a client adjusts their approach and sees a horse respond positively, it builds a sense of capability and trust in oneself.
Mastery Through Action
Simple but meaningful tasks like leading, grooming, or setting boundaries with a large animal give clients a sense of accomplishment. They see themselves succeed in real-world interactions, which translates to greater self-esteem.
Regulation and Resilience
Learning to stay calm, present, and assertive around a horse helps clients develop emotional regulation—an essential part of self-confidence in everyday life.
How Equine Therapy enhances interpersonal/social skills
Learning Boundaries and Communication
Horses are sensitive to body language and emotional tone. Clients practice setting boundaries, giving clear signals, and adjusting their communication style—skills directly transferable to human relationships.
Trust and Connection
Building a bond with a horse requires patience, consistency, and empathy. These same qualities are foundational to forming healthy human connections.
Immediate Feedback Without Judgment
Unlike people, horses don’t judge—they react. This makes them powerful mirrors for exploring how one’s actions affect others, helping clients grow in social awareness and confidence in relationships.
How does it work?
What else you should know
You are not required to have any previous experience with horses to participate in equine therapy.
It is done entirely through ground work with the horse. No riding in these sessions!
Equine therapy sessions are psychotherapy sessions. Therefore, only the client and the therapist are permitted to be in the private, assigned space during the time of the session. All confidentiality and ethical standards as set by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) apply to this service.
Equine therapy is covered under Psychotherapy by many benefits packages when provided by a Registered Psychotherapist or Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Please contact your insurance provider for more information.
Prices
Individual (Youth) 60min- Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Session……………………………….$210.00
Where to begin?
To inquire further about this service, or book equine therapy sessions, please contact madelinelasspsychotherapy@gmail.com.
The initial therapy session focuses on identifying the client’s goals and establishing a direction for treatment. A series of 4–8 sessions is often recommended, depending on the nature of those goals. However, as with any therapeutic process, clients are free to discontinue at any time. The number of sessions can also be adjusted throughout the treatment to align with the client’s comfort level and evolving goals.