Grooming and walking the horse may be important. The horse is going to let the child know that their feelings are real and important. For example, if a child approaches the animal nervously, it will move away. The child must somehow overcome this fear, or grow, in order to subsequently be close to the horse. Likewise, people with attention deficit disorder must learn to slow down if they are to be successful, said Lilly.
Equine therapy can also complement traditional therapies.
In Burton, Ohio, Linda Myers runs an aftercare program for adolescents with chemical dependency problems who have already received drug and alcohol treatment. The patient is blindfolded and placed in the arena with the horse. It is the job of the patient to find the horse, put a halter on it, and lead it back to the gate, with the help of verbal instructions from family members who are watching. Some of the teens develop a personal interest in horses during the therapy. That, she said, just might help to keep them substance-free.