By Mo Al-Ebadi
GRETNA, Neb. — For some, therapy means sitting in an office and talking through emotions. At Spirit Horse Ranch in Gretna, it looks different.
Clients work alongside horses in guided sessions designed to address trauma, anxiety and other mental health challenges. The approach, known as equine-assisted psychotherapy, incorporates horses into traditional therapeutic practices.
Kris Tevis, executive director of Spirit Horse Ranch and a licensed mental health practitioner, said the foundation of the therapy remains consistent with standard clinical care.
A horse steps out of its stall at Spirit Horse Ranch in Gretna, where therapy sessions take place in a barn setting rather than a traditional office.
“We provide equine-assisted psychotherapy. It’s therapy like a traditional session, but we incorporate the horses and let them lead part of the process,” Tevis said.
Sessions may include grooming, leading or structured activities intended to encourage clients to stay present and engaged. Tevis said the goal is not to change the principles of therapy, but the environment in which it takes place.
“We’re treating mental health conditions, we’re just doing it in a different way,” she said.
Spirit Horse Ranch offers trauma-focused sessions, as well as programs for families, couples and team-building workshops. Tevis said equine-assisted therapy is designed as an option for individuals who may not connect with more traditional office settings.
As the field continues to grow, questions remain about how research measures outcomes and long-term effectiveness.
“There just needs to be more consensus in the field to have more regular, consistent outcomes,” Tevis said.
Research into equine-assisted psychotherapy has expanded over the past decade, particularly in studies involving veterans and individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Some research has reported improvements in engagement, anxiety symptoms and emotional regulation. However, experts note that programs vary widely in structure and clinical oversight, making comparisons between studies difficult.
Tevis said differences between equine-assisted learning programs and licensed psychotherapy services can also affect how research findings are interpreted.
She emphasized that equine-assisted therapy should be considered alongside other mental health services.
A horse steps out of its stall at Spirit Horse Ranch in Gretna, where therapy sessions take place in a barn setting rather than a traditional office.
“I would always recommend doing that first, if it’s if it’s not working, then look for something else,” Tevis said.
As conversations around mental health continue to evolve, programs like Spirit Horse Ranch are expanding into what treatment can look like, offering an alternative setting for care.
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