Equine Therapy for Young Adults
Healing Through Unspoken Connection
The therapeutic breakthroughs that happen in our milieu don’t always happen with humans. The Cornerstones of Maine equine therapy program—presented in partnership with Carlisle Academy at Spring Creek Farms—gives young adults powerful learning opportunities through guided experiences with horses. For many of our clients, these intuitive and majestic animals create pathways to insight that other types of therapy alone cannot access.
Why Horses? Understanding Equine-Assisted Therapy
Horses are uniquely suited for therapeutic work with young adults. As prey animals, they're constantly scanning their surroundings for predators and highly attuned to the slightest clues of body language. This natural sensitivity makes horses exceptional mirrors for humans. They often intuitively reveal some of our deepest patterns and dynamics—ones we might not even be aware of.
Horses always respond to what's actually happening, completely without words. The unique horse-human relationship provides clients with immediate feedback on their behavior without judgment—something many emerging adults haven't experienced before.
This helps young adults develop self-awareness, practice emotional regulation, foster new confidence, practice boundary-setting, process trauma, develop leadership capabilities, and connect with themselves like never before.
Such experiences are then integrated with our wider treatment approach, helping clients make connections between insights gained from the horses and the challenges they face in daily life.
How Equine Therapy Works
While some equine programs feature riding, our approach focuses on groundwork and relationship-building activities. Young adults engage in structured work with the horses under the guidance of our experienced equine specialists and clinicians. What does that look like?
Observing herd dynamics and discussing social patterns
Haltering and leading exercises that call on leadership skills
Grooming activities that develop attunement and care
Obstacle courses that require communication and problem-solving
Liberty work where horses respond without physical restraint
Mindfulness exercises
And so much more
How Horses Help Young Adults Learn
When a horse moves away, refuses to follow, or becomes anxious, that provides information about what the young adult is communicating non-verbally. When a horse willingly engages, follows a lead, or relaxes in their presence, it reflects successful connection and clear communication. This feedback helps young adults understand any differences between their internal experience and external presentation—an essential skill for authentic relationships, communication, and successful independent living.
Benefits of Equine Therapy for Young Adults
Equine therapy has proven particularly effective for young adults dealing with:
Anxiety & Depression
The regulated nervous system of a calm horse can help young adults find their own balance. Grooming, leading, and simply being present with horses activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety and lifting mood through both physiological and psychological pathways.
Social Skills & Relationship Challenges
For young adults who struggle with social dynamics, horses provide a simplified but authentic relationship experience. The clear cause-and-effect nature of horse interactions helps clarify relationship patterns that might feel confusing with humans.
Executive Functioning & Neurodivergence
Working with horses requires present-moment awareness, planning, sequential thinking, and consistent follow-through—all essential executive functioning skills. The engagement and motivation that horses naturally inspire helps young adults with neurodivergence to practice these skills in a highly rewarding context.
Trauma Recovery
The non-verbal, sensory nature of equine interactions can help access and process traumatic experiences that may be difficult to express verbally. Horses' attunement to subtle changes in humans helps young adults become more aware of their own internal states and triggers, developing greater regulation and resilience.
Equine Therapy in Maine
Cornerstones of Maine partners with established equine facilities in the greater Portland area, allowing our young adults to experience the healing power of horses in well-maintained, professional environments.
Step Into the Arena
If your young adult has struggled to engage with traditional therapy, or if they naturally connect with animals, our equine therapy program might be a great fit. Contact our team today to learn more about how equine therapy fits within our residential treatment, transitional living, and aftercare programs for young adults ages 18-28.