Frequently Asked Questions

What is Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy?

Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy is a series of specifically designed interactive experiences with horses to promote psychosocial healing and growth. A trained therapist assists with personal exploration of feelings and behaviors and allows for the clinical interpretation of these feelings and behaviors.

Who can benefit from Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy?

Almost any individual desiring personal growth who enjoys animals and the outdoors may benefit. No previous horse experience is necessary. Appointments for children over 6 years old, teens and adults are available.

However, in evaluating whether Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy is appropriate for an individual, safety (of both riders and horses) is our primary concern. For this reason, we always require that our clients have a physician's release before riding, and we consider carefully whether we have the appropriate instructor competence, horse, and equipment to meet each rider's needs. In some cases, even if riding is not possible, a client may still be able to participate in sessions centering around horsemanship and groundwork.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Assertiveness & Empowerment
  • Autism
  • Attention Deficit Disorder
  • Confidence and Self-Esteem
  • Emotional and Behavioral problems (including Anxiety, Depression and Oppositional Defiant Disorder)
  • Grief and Loss
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Wellness

What are the special benefits of horses being a part of the psychotherapy process?

Interaction with horses as part of an E.F.P. session has some special benefits, including:

  • Facilitating trust and establishing rapport
  • Eliciting a wide range of emotional and behavioral responses
  • Promoting self-confidence and personal growth
  • Helping clients relax by lowering blood pressure & decreasing heart rate
  • Motivating clients who may be hesitant to explore traditional counseling

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic Riding includes any mounted equine activity taught by a N.A.R.H.A. Certified Instructor. Generally, students are individuals with disabilities or diverse needs. Students may learn traditional riding disciplines or participate in adaptive riding activities designed to accommodate their specific challenges.

Who can benefit from Therapeutic Riding?

Dream Quest Therapeutic Riding is dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals with cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as those individuals with physical disabilities. Almost any such individual desiring personal growth who enjoys animals and the outdoors may benefit. Therapeutic Riding lessons can be adapted to teach riding skills to a wide variety of participants while accommodating their individual needs. No previous horse experience is necessary. Appointments for children over 5 years old, teens and adults are available.

However, in evaluating whether Therapeutic Riding is appropriate for an individual, safety (of both riders and horses) is our primary concern. For this reason, we always require that our clients have a physician's release before riding, and we consider carefully whether we have the appropriate instructor competence, horse, and equipment to meet each rider's needs. In some cases, even if riding is not possible, a client may still be able to participate in lessons centering around therapeutic horsemanship and groundwork.

What are the benefits of Therapeutic Riding?

As students learn riding skills, they may experience a wide range of benefits, including:

  • Improved balance, flexibility, strength, muscle control, and eye-hand coordination
  • Greater self-confidence, independence, patience, emotional control, self-discipline, and problem solving skills
  • Development of friendships, teamwork skills, mutual respect, and a sense of responsibility
  • Exposure to a broad range of experiences and activities
  • A sense of normality
  • Fun, relaxation, and a general sense of well-being

How does E.F.P. differ from Therapeutic Riding?

Though E.F.P. and Therapeutic Riding share many of the same benefits, there are some important distinctions between the two.

E.F.P. is always facilitated by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional. Though the client will learn equestrian skills, therapy co-facilitated with horses is the primary focus.

Therapeutic Riding, however, has a more recreational and educational focus. Though learning riding skills and participating in activities may have therapeutic value for the student, it is not therapy.

According to N.A.R.H.A., an activity is therapeutic if a participant derives benefit, shows improvement or feels better once engaged. An activity can be therapeutic without being considered as therapy.

How do E.F.P. and Therapeutic Riding differ from Hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy utilizing equine movement. The unique movement of the horse becomes part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. Though the equine movement experienced during an E.F.P. session or Therapeutic Riding lesson may have some benefits similar to Hippotherapy, these programs all have different areas of focus. Where Hippotherapy's primary focus is physical, E.F.P. is primarily centered around mental and emotional well-being, and Therapeutic Riding has a recreational focus.

Just as E.F.P. must be facilitated by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional, Hippotherapy must be practiced by a credentialed physical, occupational, or speech therapist. As there are currently no appropriately qualified therapists on the Dream Quest staff, Dream Quest does not offer Hippotherapy.

Does Dream Quest offer any traditional or non-therapeutic riding lessons?

We have a very limited number of spaces available for traditional riding clients. However, these are generally reserved for siblings of our young therapeutic riding clients, which offers some families a rare chance for their children of different ability levels to share in an activity together.

What do I need to do in order to begin sessions with Dream Quest?

Contact L. Kay Watson by phone at 678-227-2991 or by email at kwatson@dreamquestefp.com to discuss Dream Quest's E.F.P. program.

Contact Jackie Griswold by phone at 770-330-4295 or by email at jgriswold@dreamquesttr.com to discuss Dream Quest's Therapeutic Riding program.

We can provide answers to your questions, assess how our programs can best serve you or your child, and set up an appointment to tour our facility. Please note that farm visits are by appointment only.

A registration packet must be completed and reviewed prior to riding. This includes a release of liability and signed permission to participate from a physician. You may download and print the registration using the links on the right side of the page.

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