What is Equine Assisted Coaching?
If you've ever spent time around horses, you already know there's something uniquely powerful about their presence. But did you know that horses can also help humans grow emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually? That’s where Equine Assisted Coaching comes in.
Whether you're curious about working with a coach who partners with horses, or just stumbled across the term, I want to share with you my thoughts on equine coaching, how it works, and why people from all walks of life are using horses to heal and to transform.
So, What Is Equine Assisted Coaching?
Equine Assisted Coaching is a form of personal or professional development that involves interaction with horses as a central part of the coaching process.
Unlike riding lessons or traditional talk therapy, equine coaching sessions are often done on the ground—no horseback riding required. The focus is on experiential learning: engaging with horses in real-time and reflecting on what arises emotionally, mentally, and physically. The horse becomes a co-facilitator in the session, offering immediate, honest feedback that helps you understand yourself better—without judgment.
Why Horses?
Horses are incredibly intuitive animals, in large part because they are prey animals. Prey animals might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to horses, so let me touch on that point for a moment.
Originally, mMost horses lived on the open plains where they were vulnerable to predators like wolves, mountain lions, and big cats. Over the years, their survival depended on being able to:
Detect danger quickly
Flee from threats fast
Stay in groups for safety
These instincts are still hardwired into them today. I will go into all the reasons - both physical and mental - that make the horse an ideal coaching partner but for now, horses are hyper-aware of human energy, emotion and intention. They are always authentic in their reactions, responding to what is really going on inside of you and they mirror us in ways we don’t always understand because they pick up subtle shifts in our emotional state and body language. They reflect our truth without judgement and not the mask we are sometimes forced to share with the world. Horses don’t lie, and they don’t let us lie to ourselves either.
What Happens in a Session?
Every client is different because they have different goals for the session. You will first meet with your Equine Coach for an in-depth conversation about what you want to get out of the session. Sometimes, the goal will require multiple sessions and that is something the coach will discuss with you. Generally, each session will involve the following activities:
Ground-based activities with a horse (such as leading, grooming, or moving together in a paddock)
Guided reflection and inquiry with a trained coach
Real-time feedback from the horse’s responses
Integration of insights into your life, work, or relationships
You don’t need any prior horse experience—just a willingness to be present and open to the process.
What Can Equine Coaching Help With?
Equine Assisted Coaching is powerful for a wide range of personal and professional goals, including:
Building confidence and self-awareness
Developing leadership or communication skills
Navigating life transitions
Managing stress, anxiety, or burnout
Healing from emotional wounds or patterns
Improving relationships
Reconnecting with intuition and inner wisdom
It's especially valuable when you feel “stuck” in your head. Horses help bring you back into your body, your truth, and the present moment.
One important note here: Equine Assisted Coaching should not be considered as a substitute for traditional therapy or any other mental health treatment. It’s a coaching modality—focused on the present and future, not diagnosing or treating psychological disorders.
If you would like to find out more about Equine Assisted Coaching and how it might help you, reach out to hoovesforhopeequineservicestx@gmail.com. The horses are waiting for you!
