Equine Facilitated Interactions (EFI), also known as Equine Assisted Services (EAS), is an umbrella term for a range of professional activities that involve partnering with horses to support human well-being and development.

These services are always guided by a qualified and insured professional and can include:

• Personal and professional development coaching
• Well-being and mindfulness instruction
• Therapeutic support, such as Counselling and Psychotherapy

The goal is to provide clients and learners with benefits that range from developing self-awareness and leadership skills to addressing specific therapeutic goals.

Horses are uniquely effective partners in learning and therapy for several key reasons:

• Heightened Awareness: As prey animals, horses are instinctively attuned to their environment and the emotional states of those around them. Their survival depends on reading subtle, non-verbal cues, which makes them incredibly sensitive to human emotions and intentions.
   
• Honest, Unbiased Feedback: Horses react to what they perceive in the present moment, without judgment or agenda. This provides instant, honest feedback on our behaviour and emotional state. A leading US horse trainer aptly describes the horse as a "1,200 lbs lie detector."
   
• Embodied Experience: Interacting with horses is a somatic (whole-body) experience. While we can filter our thoughts in conversation, our bodies don't lie. This interaction can help access emotions and traumas held in the body, creating profound opportunities for healing and self-discovery.

Because of this, sessions can be incredibly impactful. As one US Clinical Psychologist explains, "one session of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in the barn is equal to five sessions 'on the couch.'"

Horses respond to human emotions authentically and without judgment. As highly social mammals, they have a natural awareness of the emotional and energetic states of others, including humans.

The science behind this, pioneered by researchers like Jaak Panksepp and ethologists like Frans de Waal, shows that humans and horses share core emotional brain systems. A horse's reaction can be understood simply as moving towards or away from an emotional stimulus. They are drawn to feelings of safety, congruence, and reward, and will retreat from feelings of threat, danger, or emotional incongruence.

It is the facilitator's role to help the client understand and work with these powerful, non-verbal responses from the horse.

Absolutely not. The vast majority of our work is done from the ground, and no riding is involved. Sessions focus on observation and interaction in a safe, controlled manner. Your facilitator is an expert in both horse behaviour and human safety and will be with you every step of the way to ensure you feel comfortable and secure.

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) can support any therapeutic process that values the client's direct experience. While there are no specific "best cases," it has proven highly effective for:

• Processing trauma and PTSD
• Supporting those with neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and Autism
• Addressing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem
• Working through substance abuse issues and eating disorders
• Developing emotional regulation and expression

The horses are not "healers" themselves; rather, they help create a non-judgmental space where the therapist and client can explore challenges and facilitate a path toward healing.

To practice Equine Facilitated Therapy or Psychotherapy, you must first hold an appropriate, externally accredited professional qualification in the field you wish to practice (e.g., Psychotherapy, Counselling, Occupational Therapy). This foundational qualification must meet the standards defined by regulatory bodies such as the UK's Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

Once you have this, you can then undertake specialised training in equine-facilitated practice. Athena Herd Foundation provides accredited training pathways that build upon your existing professional qualifications, ensuring you can practice safely, ethically, and effectively.

Yes. Most major insurance carriers that provide professional indemnity cover for therapists, counsellors, and holistic practitioners recognise equine-facilitated services. Coverage is granted subject to proof of appropriate training and qualifications.

For practitioners seeking cover, Athena Herd Foundation recommends exploring options from trusted providers like Balens or Holistic Insurance Services.

While there are no absolutes, current market evidence in the UK suggests an earning potential of between £40 and £150 per hour, depending on location, qualifications, and the specific service offered. To build a sustainable full-time practice, many practitioners choose to operate as a not-for-profit organisation, which opens up opportunities for grant funding to support their valuable work.