In-person in Crawford, CO
Natural Lifemanship Model
Evidence-based
Healing Beyond Words
Horses live in the present moment. They notice subtle cues we may not” to “They notice subtle shifts in awareness that only a prey animal can pick up on, making working with them distinctly different than other forms of animal-assisted psychotherapy.
Through this connection, horses can helps us explore and build emotional awareness, healthy boundaries, trust, confidence, nervous system regulation, and more effective communication in a safe and supportive environment.
What to Expect in a Session
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Regulate
Mindfulness and grounding are the keys to regulation
Relate
Relationships with the horses are a catalyst for change
Explore and Grow
Through guided interventions, engage in tailored treatment towards therapeutic goals
Reflect and Integrate
Engage in personal insights, set goals for between sessions, and become aware of growth/change
Equine-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Trauma
Autism & Behavioral Changes
Addiction
The Natural Lifemanship Model
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Trauma-Informed & Relationship-Based: A model of equine-assisted services grounded in trauma-informed care, attachment theory, neurobiology, and relational science.
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Connection Over Control: Emphasizes mutual trust, communication, responsiveness, and healthy boundaries rather than dominance, coercion, or control.
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Horse–Human Relationships: Applies principles of healthy relationships with horses to human relationships, recognizing that skills such as emotional regulation, clear communication, boundaries, and attunement can transfer across relationships.
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Nervous System Regulation: Helps individuals recognize physiological responses to stress and trauma while developing skills for grounding, self-regulation, emotional awareness, and brain-body regulation.
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Secure Attachment & Healthy Connection: Provides opportunities to practice trust, attunement, communication, boundaries, and relational safety in an experiential environment.
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Experiential Learning: Uses real-time interactions with horses to create opportunities for clients to notice patterns, practice new relational skills, and develop insight through experience rather than relying solely on verbal processing.
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Client-Led Insight: Facilitators avoid assigning predetermined meanings to horse behavior and instead support clients in exploring their own experiences, observations, emotions, and interpretations.
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Ground-Based & Mounted Activities: May incorporate both ground-based activities and riding. Mounted work can provide an embodied opportunity to practice regulation, balance, communication, presence, and shared movement.
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Trauma & Mental Health Applications: Can be incorporated into trauma-focused equine-assisted psychotherapy to support individuals experiencing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, attachment disruptions, and relational distress when provided by appropriately trained mental health professionals.
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Equine-Assisted Learning: Can also be used outside of psychotherapy for education, personal growth, communication, leadership, and relationship development.
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Core Philosophy: Healthy relationships are built through connection, safety, communication, regulation, and mutual responsiveness—not control.
Practical Information
Located in a completely outdoor environment in Crawford, Colorado. As such, inclement weather can impact service availability
Closed-toe shoes are required; comfortable clothing recommended
Self-pay rate: $145 per 60-minute session
Sessions are largely ground-based but may involve some mounted elements where appropriate
Covered by insurance
No Horse Experience Needed