What Happens in an Equine Assisted Therapy Session?

A common questions we hear is:
“What actually happens in an Equine Assisted Therapy session?”
Because each person arrives with different needs, histories, and goals, sessions can look quite different from one individual to another. Rather than following a set script, Equine Assisted Therapy at Saving Grace Farm is guided by relationship, safety, and responsiveness.
While no two sessions are exactly alike, there is a consistent structure and rhythm to how care is provided.
Beginning with Care and PreparationBefore any sessions take place, there is an intake process designed to ensure safety, clarity, and appropriate support for each participant.
The intake process includes:

• Completing an online application
  
• Downloading and submitting physician forms, which must be signed by a doctor
  
• Submitting all required documents
  
  • The online application is submitted directly through our system
    
  • Physician forms may be faxed, mailed, or emailed (with the understanding that email is not a secure method of sending documents)
    

Once all required documents are received, we are able to move forward with scheduling.
Because Saving Grace Farm partners with The Jenkins Creative Counseling Center to provide Equine Assisted Therapy services, participants are asked to complete intake forms for both organizations. These are required for each location and ensure continuity of care.
The therapy office’s intake form will be emailed once your intake appointment is scheduled.
This process allows everyone — client, therapist, and farm staff — to begin with shared understanding and appropriate safeguards in place.
The Intake AppointmentThe intake appointment is typically the first in-person step and is intentionally gentle.
It generally includes:

• A conversation with the therapist about needs, goals, and relevant history
  
• Time to ask questions and learn more about the process
  
• A brief tour of the farm
  
• Seeing the horses and other animals from across the fence, without pressure to interact
  

There is no expectation to engage with a horse during this first visit. The focus is on comfort, orientation, and relationship-building.
Early Sessions: Building Comfort and TrustAfter the intake appointment, sessions are usually scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on individual needs.
In early sessions, participants may:

• Spend time observing the horses
  
• Begin meeting a horse in a calm, supported way
  
• Engage in simple activities such as grooming
  
• Or simply share space on the farm to become more comfortable
  

This program is entirely ground-based — there is no riding involved. All interactions happen from the ground, at a pace guided by the participant and supported by the treatment team.
Guided by Professionals, Supported by the HorsesEach session is facilitated by a Licensed Therapist and a Certified Equine Specialist, working together to support both emotional and physical safety.
The therapist guides reflection, emotional awareness, and therapeutic goals, while the equine specialist focuses on the horses’ well-being and the dynamics of the interaction.
The horses are not tools or performers. Their natural responses — calm, curiosity, movement, or boundaries — offer meaningful, non-judgmental feedback that can support insight and growth.
Experiential, Not ScriptedThere is no expectation to talk continuously, share deeply before ready, or “do it right.” Some sessions may feel quiet and reflective; others may feel more active.
Equine Assisted Therapy is experiential. Insight often emerges through presence and interaction rather than explanation.
What matters most is not the activity itself, but what is noticed and experienced along the way.
A Note About RidingIf your primary interest is riding, we invite you to visit our Adaptive/Therapeutic Horsemanship page. Equine Assisted Therapy at Saving Grace Farm is a mental health service and does not include mounted activities.
A Gentle InvitationIf you are exploring Equine Assisted Therapy and wondering whether it might be a good fit, understanding the process can be a helpful first step.
This work is not about rushing or fixing — it is about creating space for awareness, safety, and connection, one step at a time.
Questions are always welcome, and discernment is part of care.