What Is Equestrian Therapy?

The Joanne Lee Foundation, Inc.'s equestrian therapy is a specialized program designed to empower lives through the interaction with horses. Each individual learns to respect, nurture, care-take, groom, lead and discipline horses, while gaining the overall knowledge of horses and the skills of horseback riding.

Because horses are large, yet domesticated animals, there is an inherent opportunity to restore TRUST, as a relationship is built between a person and a horse. Because horses don't manipulate, threaten, lie or cheat and are direct in their communication, they in turn, respond to direct and clear communication from others.

The horses in our program facilitate as co-therapists, providing an opening for self-expression and recon-nection in an environment of unconditional positive regard, setting firm boundaries, testing boundaries and safety and freedom to healthy emotional expression.