What is horse therapy and where can I find it in the United Arab Emirates?

Horse therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, is a powerful and holistic approach to healing and personal growth.
It involves interacting with horses in a supportive, guided environment to improve emotional well-being, build self-awareness, and foster personal development.

Horses, with their innate sensitivity and ability to mirror human emotions, create a unique space for reflection and connection.
Whether addressing stress, anxiety, confidence, or communication challenges, horse therapy offers transformative experiences that go beyond traditional methods, unlocking new paths to balance, clarity, and empowerment.

The difference between horse therapy, hippotherapy, horse guided coaching and therapeutic riding

Before we dive deeper into who can benefit from horse therapy, I first want to clarify some terms as there are different modalities and approaches how to engage horses in therapeutic interventions. 
It is important to understand the difference so you can then decide which approach is the one you need, and who offers what in the UAE (as of my knowledge December 2024):

The word "therapy" in this field

"Horse Therapy" is a word used a lot in this context as it is easy to understand.
However "therapy" is a service that can truly only be offered by licensed therapists.
Most providers in this field are not therapists, e.g. not licensed by the DHA (Dubai Health Authority), hence please keep this in mind when researching horse assisted services for yourself or your child.
I am myself not a licensed therapists but a coach working with horses, and will therefore have a consultation with each new client to assess if I can work with you or not, or else refer you to a colleague in the field:

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a specialized one-on-one therapy session that uses the movement of a horse to improve balance, coordination, and motor skills.
Led by a certified physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or speech therapist, it combines hands-on therapy with a specially trained horse and experienced handler.

Currently, the only physiotherapist in the country I know of who is also trained in hippotherapy for special needs kids is Muhammad Dahdoub. You can find out more about him here. He offers his sessions mostly at Al Marmoom Initiative, or at private stables, and has vast experience with all cases of children of determination.

Horse assisted Psychotherapy 

At the moment there is only one specialized Senior Clinical Psychologist in the United Arab Emirates who combines her work with horse assisted psychotherapy: 
Dr. Ivone de Guadalupe Reis. Find out more about her at Potentia Clinics - currently she offers sessions with horses every Monday.
I had the pleasure to spend a week with Dr. Reis during our FeelQuest Retreat in Georgia and love her warm and gentle personality.

Adaptive therapeutic riding for special needs children

Currently, there are 3 centers in the United Arab Emirates that offer adaptive riding lessons for children of determination (special needs).
Adaptive therapeutic riding is a specialized form of equine-assisted activity designed to support individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, or developmental challenges.

Through carefully tailored riding sessions, participants work on improving balance, coordination, muscle strength, and motor skills while also experiencing emotional and psychological benefits.
The rhythmic movement of the horse provides unique sensory input, helping to stimulate the nervous system and promote relaxation.
Guided by trained instructors, adaptive therapeutic riding fosters confidence, independence, and joy.

Most of the centers in the UAE only work with children, not adults, as the aim is to use the movement of the horse, e.g. ridden activities.
The children are supported by several volunteers walking alongside as well as leading the horse.

The centers currently offering these sessions are:
The Equestrian Foundation for People of Determination (Dubai Desert Palm)
Al Marmoom Initiative (Dubai Al Qudra)
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
Feel free to get in touch with them directly for availability and scheduling.

Coaching with horses or Horse guided Empowerment

Offering emotional and mental support as well as leadership coaching and empowerment, there are several facilitators working full time or part time in the field of coaching with horses.
Maria and I have founded Heal with Horses as a platform to bring all likeminded professionals together and offer clients an overview of who is certified and currently offering these kind of sessions.

Although each of the facilitators mentioned on the page works under their own brand and trade license, we regularly collaborate for group workshops, retreats, we supervise and support each other and hold brainstorming sessions.

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