In a recent episode of All My Children Wear Fur Coats, Lindsay Brim discussed the transformative power of horses, and explained how Crossroads Corral utilizes Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to promote growth and healing.
Lindsay Brim is a long-time mental health advocate with over 30 years of experience with horses. In 2015, she co-founded Crossroads Corral, an organization that administers psychological therapy with the help of a herd of horses. Often confused with therapeutic riding, EAP does not involve mounting or riding a horse. Participants take part in activities such as grooming and handling, and form bonds with the horses.
Lindsay emphasized that sessions are overseen by a licensed mental health professional in conjunction with an equine specialist. Crossroads Corral focuses on using EAP to treat veterans with PTSD, human trafficking victims, women who have suffered from domestic violence, and at-risk youth.
Lindsay detailed the qualities that make horses exceptional creatures for therapeutic applications. She revealed that horses as prey animals are intuitively aware of their surroundings. Although they are easily startled, horses can return to a relaxed state quickly after experiencing stress-inducing stimuli. On the other hand, humans may remain at a heightened state for days once triggered. According to Lindsay, humans may learn to better manage their stress and anxiety through the observation of horses.
Additionally, Lindsay noted that equine assisted therapy may be more practical than talk therapy for individuals with debilitating mental health struggles. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, EAP gives participants an opportunity to act instead of speaking about their problems. By creating a more inviting environment for those who are apprehensive about therapy, Crossroads Corral is filling an important gap in mental health resources.
In addition to EAP, Crossroads Corral offers Equine Assisted Learning. The curriculum consists of team building exercises that push individuals outside of their comfort zone. Participants are encouraged to apply the problem-solving strategies they learn to their role within their organization. Lindsay expressed that she achieved personal self-discovery by participating in these types of exercises with her coworkers.
In the future, Lindsay hopes to purchase the farm where Crossroads Corral resides. She also hopes to expand the organization to serve more members of the community.
If you would like to learn more about Crossroads Corral, visit facebook.com/crossroadscorral or crossroadscorral.org.
Please protect your pet with a Pet Trust! Visit ACT4Pets.org for more information.
