Equine-Supported Applied Eco-Arts:
A Partnership of Equals
There's something magical that happens when we stand beside a horse—a 1,000-pound being whose presence grounds us firmly in the now. In my years exploring the intersection of art, nature, and healing, I've witnessed remarkable transformations through what I've come to call equine-supported applied eco-arts.
From "Assisted" to "Supported": A Subtle Yet Profound Shift
Traditional equine therapy often uses the term "equine-assisted," which unintentionally positions horses as tools rather than partners. By shifting to "equine-supported," we intend to honor horses as active collaborators and co-counselors in the healing journey—bringing their own wisdom, preferences, and contributions to each interaction.
This perspective creates a partnership of equals where:
Horses participate by choice, bringing authenticity to every interaction
The relationship flourishes as a two-way exchange where both beings benefit
Horses offer honest, unfiltered feedback about our emotional landscape
They share their natural gifts—remarkable sensitivity, presence, and attunement
The Integration of Multiple Healing Modalities
Equine-supported applied eco-arts brings together three powerful approaches:
Equine Interaction: The embodied wisdom of being with horses
Expressive Arts: Creative expression across five modalities (visual arts, movement, music, drama, and writing)
Applied Eco-Arts: Direct engagement with nature and ecological principles
This integration creates a uniquely powerful therapeutic ecosystem where healing unfolds through relationship with all living beings. Rather than using conversation alone, this approach engages our whole being—activating all sensory channels in harmony:
Touch: The warmth of a horse's body, the texture of art materials
Smell: The earthy scent of the barn and natural surroundings
Sound: The rhythmic cadence of breathing and hoofbeats
Sight: Visual feedback from both horse responses and created artwork
Movement: The embodied experience of moving with horses
The Ethics of Partnership and Reciprocity
At the heart of equine-supported applied eco-arts lies a profound ethical framework centered on permission-seeking and gratitude expression. These aren't merely ceremonial additions but fundamental principles that transform the relationship with both horses and the natural world.
Before any interaction, we establish a practice of seeking permission:
From the horse—approaching slowly, respecting body language, offering choice
From the land—pausing to sense the energy before gathering materials
From all participants—honoring that participation is voluntary
Equally important is expressing gratitude upon completing any interaction:
To the horse—acknowledging their specific contributions
To the land—returning unused materials, practicing stewardship
Through closing rituals—marking transitions and honoring all beings present
This transforms what might otherwise be an extractive process into a reciprocal exchange that honors the agency and contribution of all participants.
Try This: Charging the Palms
One simple yet powerful exercise from equine-supported applied eco-arts is "Charging the Palms." This practice helps you connect with your body and prepare for horse interaction:
Hold a piece of clay in both hands
Focus on the sensations—texture, temperature, pressure
After a few minutes, place the clay aside
Notice any differences between your left and right hands
Bring this awareness into your interactions with horses
Participants often report a sense of "pressure off" and increased focus after this exercise, creating a foundation for mindful, present interaction with horses. The rhythmic, meditative quality offers a naturally calming experience, particularly beneficial for those navigating anxiety.
The Science Behind Horse-Human Connection
Recent research illuminates fascinating mechanisms behind horse-human interactions. Studies show that physical contact between horses and humans creates reciprocal regulatory states, including:
Synchronized physiological responses in heart rate and hormonal systems
Development of kinesthetic empathy between horse and human
Activation of the oxytocinergic system, producing positive physiological and psychological benefits
Perhaps most intriguing is the Emotional Transfer Hypothesis, which proposes that a coupling process occurs during horse-human interaction. This body-to-body connection facilitates emotional transfer, with the horse serving as a catalyst for healing.
Implementation at Sky Blue Equestrian Center
At Sky Blue Equestrian Center, we've developed a range of activities that exemplify the intersection of expressive arts and equine-supported work. These practices intentionally bridge creative expression with horse-human connection, creating a synergy where each enhances the other:
Felting with Horse Hair
This gentle practice exemplifies the integration of tactile art-making with direct equine connection. Participants gather fallen horse hair during grooming sessions and use it to create felted coverings for smooth stones collected from the land.
The rhythmic, meditative quality of felting offers a naturally calming experience, particularly beneficial for those navigating anxiety, while creating a meaningful keepsake that carries the therapeutic experience beyond the session. Research has shown this activity increases positive affect scores and promotes physical and emotional regulation.
Field Journaling
Participants create personalized journals using natural materials, documenting their observations, feelings, and insights during and after horse interactions. This bridges the gap between personal meaning-making and objective documentation, honoring both the participant's inner experience and the horse's presence.
The field journal becomes particularly powerful when participants incorporate natural materials gathered during sessions or integrate horse hair through papermaking techniques. This creates a multilayered document that literally embodies the connection between person, horse, and environment.
Collaborative Art with Horses
Using specially formulated non-toxic, washable paints safe for animals, participants and horses create art together. This practice invites a beautiful reversal of traditional dynamics—rather than directing the horse, participants must attune to the horse's movements and preferences during the creative process.
This dance of give-and-take offers a living metaphor for balanced relationships built on mutual respect. The resulting artwork serves as a physical manifestation of the relationship that developed during its creation.
Journeys Through Sensory Trails
Together, humans and horses explore specially designed paths featuring varied sensory elements—textures underfoot, gentle sounds, aromatic plants. Sharing this journey creates a bonding experience through mutual discovery.
This shared exploration cultivates a unique form of non-verbal communication and attunement. Participants often report that seeing the environment through the horse's perspective helps them notice details they would otherwise miss and brings them more fully into present-moment awareness.
Stories of Connection
These principles come to life through the experiences of those who've participated in our programs at Sky Blue:
Sarah (name changed for privacy), a 42-year-old woman with Down syndrome, arrived for her session visibly nervous—pacing and breathing rapidly. While grooming Thunder, an Appaloosa gelding, her movements gradually became more measured. By the end of their time together, Sarah's breathing had slowed to match Thunder's steady rhythm, and her shoulders had visibly relaxed. "We're friends now," she said. "He makes my heart happy."
All names in these stories have been changed to ensure anonymity and protect privacy.
The connections formed between humans and horses, when founded in mutual respect, offer nourishing pathways for growth that honor both beings. These embodied, multisensory approaches remind us of the transformative potential of authentic connection—with horses as wise companions, with nature as a gentle teacher, and ultimately with ourselves as part of an interconnected tapestry of being.
This approach draws inspiration from Dr. Elizabeth Warson's Equine-Assisted Expressive Arts Therapy™, the work of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk on embodied trauma healing, the Sunkawakan Wolakota (Horse Balance) program with the Oglala Lakota Tribe, and professional development with the Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Cathy Malchiodi and Dr. Elizabeth Warson.
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