The Gait, “A horse Course,” recently opened for business in Hansville. The firm is a unique and creative enterprise that facilitates sessions in equine assisted experiential learning. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an emerging field in which horses are used as a tool for emotional growth and learning.

Situated on 5 acres, the facility includes waterfront vistas, a barn, and two arenas.

Director, Ky Mears is a chemical dependency professional with a Masters in Education and is currently working toward her doctorate in Educational Leadership. With 18 years of experience in the field of recovery, Mears says she has personally experienced the natural ability of horses to teach the skills necessary for success. Mears and her staff of nine have all been certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and have backgrounds in counseling, teaching, and horsemanship.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is experiential in nature, meaning the participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses and then discussing feelings, behaviors, and patterns. The focus is not riding or horsemanship, and about 80 percent of the sessions take place with the participants on the ground.

Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem solving, leadership, taking responsibility, teamwork and relationships, confidence and attitude are several examples of tools utilized and developed by the Equine Assisted Experiential Growth and Learning association.

For more information or a demonstration of the technique, call (360) 638-1861.