Equine-Assisted Therapy
Sometimes, the most powerful breakthroughs happen in a horse pen, face-to-face with a 1,200-pound animal that doesn’t care what you say—only how you show up.
Our Equine-facilitated psychotherapy and horsemanship program is a cornerstone of our experiential approach. It offers young men a chance to develop emotional insight, self-regulation, and relational trust through powerful, hands-on work with horses.
Why Horses?
Horses are prey and herd animals—highly sensitive to their environment, constantly tuned into nonverbal signals like body language, emotional energy, and intention. They respond to what's really going on beneath the surface, not what someone says out loud.
For teens who struggle with emotional regulation, communication, or connection, this honest feedback can be transformative.
“My horse, Lady, has taught me to lead and show my emotions; in return, I show her love and compassion. I am grateful to her because she helped me discover myself as an individual: a confident young man of integrity and honesty, who demonstrates respect and compassion for others.” — Align Student
Testimonial
"I have always struggled with expressing myself and understanding my feelings, and I had always hid how I felt from everyone around me. The horses are able to sense any uneasiness that I feel and there have been multiple instances when a horse wouldn’t listen or would freak out when I was stuck in my head. I have learned to always take a deep breath, clear my mind, and stay present while riding horses. Although this was necessary for riding, it can also be used when interacting in other situations.”
- Liam
Core Benefits of Equine Therapy for Teens
Through structured, therapeutic interaction with horses—both on the ground and in the saddle—students develop:
Emotional Insight & Self-Awareness
- Identify emotional patterns and relational blind spots
- Gain immediate feedback on mood, posture, and intention
- Increase self-regulation and body awareness
Communication & Problem-Solving
- Improve nonverbal and verbal communication skills
- Learn how to lead without control or force
- Practice boundary-setting and trust-building
Mindfulness & Self-Calming
- Develop present-moment awareness
- Reduce anxiety through rhythm, movement, and nature
- Practice grounding skills in real-time, high-responsibility situations
Recovery & Relapse Prevention
- Explore emotional triggers through horse interactions
- Reinforce 12-step principles like honesty, humility, and willingness
- Practice replacing control or avoidance with connection and presence
Testimonial
"I have learned so much from Virgil. I learned that if I’m anxious then he’s anxious. If I’m excited then he’s excited, etc. I also learned that the bond with your horse is the most important thing you can have. … Equine has impacted my life by helping me find more of myself, find empathy, find calmness, and find happiness.”
- Miguel
Advanced Horsemanship
Students begin with groundwork—building trust, learning care routines, and developing comfort around horses—before progressing into a full relationship-based western riding program.
We teach the basics of Centered Riding and foundational horsemanship skills, always emphasizing relationship over performance.
Horsemanship Activities Include:
Learning horse behavior, feeding, and grooming routines
Developing subtle training and handling techniques
Exploring trail riding and longer rides in the surrounding desert and mountains
Reflecting on how a student’s relational patterns show up in the saddle
Testimonial
"He is so so sweet and caring and would never even hurt a fly, in that way we are very similar. It took a while for our connection to build this strong but it did and I am so grateful; for it. I have learned how to build healthy connections, hold solid boundaries, respect boundaries, have compassion and patience, so much more. Equine as a whole has been a very helpful part of my recovery here at the ranch.”
- Teagan
Clinical Oversight & Trauma-Informed Practice
Align’s equine program is led by experienced, trauma-informed professionals trained in advanced horsemanship. Every session is designed to be emotionally safe, developmentally appropriate, and recovery-oriented.
Part of a Larger Journey
Equine-assisted therapy is one piece of the larger puzzle at Align. Combined with individual therapy, group work, academics, 12-step recovery, and outdoor adventure, it gives students another avenue to heal, grow, and become someone they’re proud of.
Testimonial
"Taza and I were able to build a bond that is unparalleled with certain connections I have with humans. … He has given me many therapeutic rides that have cleared my mind for the rest of the week. …Another one of the trials that me and Taz faced was getting the saddle on. It was hard at first and he was initially terrified, but eventually with confidence, once again, we were able to overcome the challenges and work together to be calm when tacking. I brought this lesson with me in my life outside of Equine by learning to accept that my family wanted the best for me, and that I would saddle up and do my part in my recovery to ensure the safety of my family. The metaphors and lessons that Taza taught me are unlimited.”
- Dylan
At Align, we don’t teach teens how to control a horse. We help them learn how to lead with honesty, presence, and connection—skills that translate far beyond the barn.