Horses are prey animals and naturally skittish (hypervigilant), presenting an opportunity for participants to recognize and understand fear responses.

Horses are naturally sensitive to verbal and nonverbal cues, and thus provide good feedback to the participant about how they are communicating.

Horses are herd animals, who live in a social structure and seek out social relationships.

Horses exist “in the moment,” and are forgiving, patient and nonjudgmental, allowing opportunities for participants to make mistakes and learn from them.

Relationships with horses must be earned.  One must build trust with a horse before he welcomes you into his world. 

Horses help participants to increase emotional awareness and regulate their emotions.