Can horses help children heal from trauma?

By Stephen Beech

Horses can help children heal after traumatic experiences, according to new research.

Equine-assisted therapy could help address the growing mental health "crisis" among young people, say scientists.

As childhood mental illness rates spiral, some social workers are turning to horses for help.

A new Australian study shines a spotlight on the healing power of horses.

Researchers from the University of South Australia recorded the experiences of 10 social workers and mental health practitioners delivering equine-assisted interventions (EAI) to children.

They explained that EAI is a type of on-ground therapy involving horses, offered by qualified health practitioners in conjunction with highly-skilled equine practitioners.

The team's findings offer "compelling" evidence in EAI's favor, with practitioners describing how a child’s emotional world can be "transformed" through working with horses in a natural setting.

Study leader Morgyn Stacy says that many children don’t respond to sitting in a room with a therapist or clinician, which can be intimidating.

“But give them the space to be outside, to connect with a horse, and something powerful happens," she said.

"They begin to feel safe, calm, and ready to open up."

The research, published in the Journal of Social Work Practice, shows that horses are "highly sensitive" to human emotions and body language, allowing them to mirror and respond to a child’s emotional state.

They also offer a natural, non-judgmental environment, helping to build trust and emotional safety.

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One practitioner described the experience as “being seen through the eyes of a horse” - a moment of emotional connection that can be life-changing.

And it’s not just the horses that help, according to the findings, as the natural, open-air setting – often in paddocks surrounded by trees and wildlife – helps children feel relaxed and grounded.

Practitioners described using "sensory-rich" activities - such as walking barefoot in sand, observing animal tracks, or simply standing quietly with a horse - to promote mindfulness and connection.

Stacy said: "The benefits go beyond mental health.

“Children often gain confidence, improve communication skills, and build stronger emotional resilience.”

Even children who were initially afraid of horses found strength in overcoming their fears, with therapists carefully matching each child to the right animal.

Senior researcher and qualified social worker, Dr. Fatin Shabbar, says equine-assisted therapy is "particularly effective" for children who have experienced trauma, including those in the child protection system.

Dr. Shabbar said: “Practitioners in the study described deeply moving examples of children bonding with horses in ways that sparked emotional breakthroughs where other therapies had failed."

But the approach is not yet widely accessible as sessions can be expensive due to the cost of caring for horses and maintaining rural properties.

Dr. Shabbar said: “Another concern is the lack of regulation.

“Without clear guidelines, unqualified practitioners may offer equine-assisted services without appropriate training, which puts both children and the animals at risk.

"And those practitioners who are highly qualified still face an uphill battle to gain recognition of equine-assisted therapy as an evidence-based practice.”

The researchers say the findings are a "strong call" to action for professional bodies to provide clearer guidance and ethical standards for working with animals in therapy.

Dr. Shabbar added, “This research shows that equine-assisted therapy can be a deeply healing experience. But for it to reach more children, we need formal recognition, ethical guidelines and proper funding.”