“Until one has loved a horse, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened”
Our Ranch is nestled in the mountains of Santa Barbara, CA, just a few minutes outside of town. With panoramic ocean views, our humble Ranch offers a peaceful environment that promotes relaxation, serenity, and healing.
Equine Therapy is a practice that uses horses for emotional healing: horses reflect no judgement and are able to sense our emotional cues. Using horses during the healing process allows individuals insight into their hidden feelings. As we connect with the horse we find the beauty of the present moment and healing.
Every experience with equine therapy is unique. There is no simple explanation for the exponential benefits of working through trauma with horses. A variety of exercises are used to help individuals set boundaries, gain self-esteem, empower leadership skills, and build confidence.
Some of these exercises include:
- Obstacle courses
- Processing
- Riding
- Grooming
- Painting
Horses have clear boundaries so if a person tries to control a horse, it will not work. Control is an issue people in recovery deal with. Learning to let go of control and trust something greater than oneself is an essential component of the Twelve Steps of recovery. The horse becomes the vehicle for this powerful lesson. Here at Back to Basics Equine Assisted Recovery we have the opportunity to witness this transformation.
“I am forever grateful to Brenda Brown and Back to Basic Equine Recovery! Brenda has taught me so much over the time that I have lived here. She is in tune with all the women. We are a family of women in recovery who support one another. The equine recovery has shown me how to move out of myself and into the present moment.”
Ali