by Erin Repasy, MA, LPC; Counselor
December 18, 2025
Living with trauma or PTSD is not always loud or obvious. It can feel like carrying something heavy that others do not see. Everyone’s healing looks different, and no two paths are the same. What helps one person feel calm might not work for someone else. That is where equine-assisted psychotherapy comes in, a unique way to work through pain that does not always need words.
Even during cold Pennsylvania winters, healing can still happen. Horse therapy allows people to move, connect, and be present in quiet, natural settings. The outdoors stays alive and comforting, even on frosty mornings. For many who are struggling, a calm presence like a horse can help bring steady ground under shaky feet. Finding peace after trauma can be challenging, especially when other approaches feel overwhelming. The gentle pace and environment of horse therapy mean you can show up exactly as you are, with no pressure to fit a schedule or expectation.
For someone who has been through trauma, feeling safe can take time. Horses are not like people. They do not rush you or expect you to explain things. They simply respond to what you show and feel in the moment.
• Horses naturally pick up on emotions like fear, stress, or calmness without judging them
• Just standing near a horse can help slow a racing heartbeat or quiet tangled thoughts
• Being outside in fresh air, listening to a horse breathe, or watching it move can help people feel more steady and less anxious
At Take Heart Counseling, every equine-assisted psychotherapy session is supported by trauma-informed therapists who are trained to guide clients through gradual steps at their own pace.
That quiet space matters. It lets people begin to rebuild trust, not just in others, but in themselves. The reliability of horses, the rhythms of grooming, and the patient guidance of therapists together create conditions where healing can begin to take root. The experience is not about trying to erase pain, but about discovering what it means to feel safe again.
When we move with purpose, the brain and body start to work together. With trauma, those two parts sometimes feel disconnected. Simple tasks with horses can gently help rebuild that connection.
• Brushing a horse or learning to lead one gives the brain something to focus on and the body a reason to stay calm
• These movements are steady and predictable, helping those with PTSD stay present instead of overwhelmed
• As people learn how to handle a horse or give it care, they often begin to feel more confident in their own actions
The ranch at Take Heart Counseling is equipped with both an indoor and outdoor riding arena, so clients can work with horses year-round regardless of weather.
Accomplishing new tasks in a safe space feels good. It does not take big steps to start feeling more capable. Sometimes success means simply completing a brushing session or standing calmly with the horse. Those seemingly small victories can add up, encouraging clients to believe in their ability to manage challenges. Over time, building these small skills can create a lasting sense of accomplishment and self-worth, which is important for ongoing recovery.
When we move with purpose, the brain and body start to work together. With trauma, those two parts sometimes feel disconnected. Simple tasks with horses can gently help rebuild that connection.
• Brushing a horse or learning to lead one gives the brain something to focus on and the body a reason to stay calm
• These movements are steady and predictable, helping those with PTSD stay present instead of overwhelmed
• As people learn how to handle a horse or give it care, they often begin to feel more confident in their own actions
The ranch at Take Heart Counseling is equipped with both an indoor and outdoor riding arena, so clients can work with horses year-round regardless of weather.
Accomplishing new tasks in a safe space feels good. It does not take big steps to start feeling more capable. Sometimes success means simply completing a brushing session or standing calmly with the horse. Those seemingly small victories can add up, encouraging clients to believe in their ability to manage challenges. Over time, building these small skills can create a lasting sense of accomplishment and self-worth, which is important for ongoing recovery.
Not everyone is ready to speak about their trauma. That is okay. The beauty of working with horses is they do not need you to say anything. They pay attention to how you move, breathe, and hold your body.
• Equine-assisted psychotherapy is not built around conversation; it is about presence and connection
• When a person does feel something deeply, the horse picks up on the shift and reflects calm or tension
• These moments create silent understanding and calm without pressure to find the right words
Sometimes, it feels safer to let the body speak. When there is a therapist there to help guide what is happening, those quiet moments can begin to unlock big shifts.
There is no expectation to retell your story or explain everything you are feeling. The session can be led by gentle presence and interaction, making it easier for someone who cannot find words or is not ready to revisit painful memories. People often find that, over time, this silent connection lowers the barriers to healing and makes therapy feel more approachable.
Winter might not seem like the season for working with animals outdoors, but it can actually support healing in its own peaceful way. Activities may move to a covered arena or slow down with shorter days, but the connection stays strong.
• The chill in the air and the softer winter light help create a calmer mood for reflection and healing
• Bundling up and being active, even just walking or grooming a horse, brings movement and warmth
• For people struggling around the holidays or feeling more isolated in the cold, having steady visits with horses can help keep emotional health more balanced
There is something deeply reassuring about showing up in the quiet season and finding a horse waiting, calm and ready to meet you exactly where you are. Sometimes, the quiet and slower pace of winter give more room for self-reflection and gentle connection. Even short moments outside, among the sounds of horses and fresh air, can provide comfort and break up the sense of isolation that winter can bring.
Horse therapy continues regardless of the weather, with special attention given to your comfort and safety. Being consistent, even when the days are short, reinforces a sense of stability and routine that many trauma survivors need.
Healing takes patience. Some days feel easier than others. Whether you are just starting to face past pain or have been carrying it for years, every step matters. Equine-assisted psychotherapy offers a grounded way to begin, not with pressure or timelines, but with presence.
Take Heart Counseling’s approach integrates Christian faith with evidence-based therapeutic models, helping adults, teens, and children find hope and resilience in their recovery.
By spending time with horses, learning through touch, breath, and movement, people often find parts of themselves they thought were lost. It is not about fixing everything at once. It is about feeling safe enough to keep going and supported enough to come back again. In the stillness of winter, even the smallest calm moment can carry a lot of meaning. The gradual progress achieved through these quiet connections can stay with people long after the session ends, offering hope for new chapters ahead.
At Take Heart Counseling, we know how powerful quiet moments can be when healing from trauma. For many people, horses provide the kind of steady presence that helps build trust, settle anxiety, and connect with confidence again. That is why we offer equine-assisted psychotherapy as part of our support for those seeking a different path forward. It is not about saying the right thing; it is about showing up and letting the work happen in a calm, safe place. If that sounds like the support you are looking for, contact us.
