Aspen Ranch Equine Program
The Aspen Ranch Equine Program has two components: Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy) and the Riding Program.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
According to Aspen's Dr. Melodie Rose, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is an experientially-based therapeutic intervention that involves the horses, who actually become active co-therapists.
Each Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy has two human facilitators: a licensed therapist and an equine specialist. In addition, there can be anywhere from one equine co-therapist to a whole herd. It just depends on the nature of the activity that is utilized during the session.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions always take place on the ground. They do not involve riding. The Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are very dynamic and experiential.
Here is an example of an activity that might be given to an adolescent during an individual Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy session: There are several horses out in the pasture and the student is told only to catch and halter a horse.
We learn a lot about the student through this type of activity. The student's interaction with the horses reveals a tremendous amount of information about how that adolescent solves problems and approaches tasks. It also exposes their interpersonal style, because now the student is in a relationship with other living and breathing entities - the horses. In this way, the horses are now co-facilitators as they give the student immediate, tangible feedback about how that student's approach to the problem, and to the horses, is either working or not.
During this experience, the therapist and equine specialist are observing, commenting and acting as facilitators. They don't necessarily coach the student in how to achieve the task, but rather share their observations about how the interaction is unfolding between the student and the horses. It is very powerful.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions can be conducted with individuals, groups or families.
During twice-yearly Parent Weeks (when parents come to Aspen Ranch to spend an entire week with their children) an Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy is offered that involves the parents so they can have a true understanding of the power of this process. They also get to participate in the same type of experiences their children are having.
Aspen Ranch is also now offering more condensed Parent Weekends. As part of this experience, parents and kids will go out together on horseback each day for a trail ride during which they will participate with their kids in an Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy driven activity.
Students also experience tremendously therapeutic activities through the Riding Program. Many young people who come to Aspen Ranch aren't familiar with horses. The process starts with teaching students how to be safe around horses. They learn about the different parts of a horse, about tack, etc. Gradually they increase their skill level in these areas and experience a sense of mastery. Ultimately they get to ride. The students can earn school credit through this component of the Equine Program.
Weekly off-campus trail rides are for kids who have achieved the higher levels of the program. They provide a truly wonderful experience because the students are exposed to unfamiliar settings and situations that are really a microcosm of what they're going to experience when they are ultimately discharged. These off-campus trail riders offer them an opportunity to practice skills that will be useful in helping them deal with the transition from a highly structured environment into the less-structured atmosphere. Overnight camping experiences also offer important skill-building opportunities.