Healing the Soul Through Nature: Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy—Not Just Horsing Around

Abstract

This alchemical hermeneutic investigation studied the horse and human relationship from a historical and cultural perspective regarding how horses have psychologically benefitted humans throughout antiquity. The soul to soul interactions between humans and horses in their natural environment were investigated from a depth psychology perspective. The intention was to glean a more comprehensive understanding of the ‘magic’ horses offer in promoting the therapeutic progress of our psychotherapy patients. The overarching research query was how a depth psychological hermeneutic and imaginal inquiry into the relationships between horses and humans bring a greater understanding of the therapeutic value these interactions can provide. The collaboration between patient, therapist and horse is presumed to support horses having an innate ability to assist the patient in releasing trauma, fears and inhibitions while advancing the process of individuation. This study was based on a narrative approach including traditional literature, myths, fairy tales and folklore, etc. which incorporated a depth psychology approach to this work. The Jungian concepts of synchronicity, archetypes, transference dialogues, free association, reverie, vision and dreams, as well as other depth related texts were utilized. This study found that the psychological symbolism of the stages of alchemy were notably connected to the contributions of horses in advancing the process of psychological individuation in humans.