Please reach us at admin@excelsiorranch.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Excelsior Ranch is a psychotherapy practice that provides individuals and groups with equine assisted therapy services.
Visits to the ranch are by appointment only to ensure the safety and privacy of our clients. However, we host open house events and scheduled tours which you can attend. Call us or email us for more information.
Equine therapy, also known as horse therapy or equine-assisted therapy, involves interactions with horses to promote emotional, physical, and mental health. It can help with a variety of conditions including trauma, anxiety, depression, and more.
Equine therapy benefits a wide range of individuals and has been proven to reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It can assist individuals with mental health conditions, children with developmental disorders, and anyone seeking personal growth and emotional healing.
One significant advantage of equine therapy is that clients do not need to vocalize their feelings, allowing them to process deep traumas internally. This approach is particularly helpful for those who do not respond well to traditional talk therapy.
Equine therapy allows individuals to interact with horses in a controlled environment. Horses' sensitivity to human emotions helps individuals understand and manage their feelings. Activities may include observing, grooming, feeding, leading, and guiding horses through obstacles.
At Excelsior Ranch, your session will include a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and a herd of horses. Each individual session is tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.
Our team includes certified equine specialists and licensed mental health professionals who are trained to conduct equine-assisted therapy sessions.
All therapy sessions are completed on the ground with horses. None of our sessions involve horseback riding.
Horses can facilitate non-verbal communication, provide immediate and honest feedback, promote emotional regulation, and offer metaphoric reflections for individuals dealing with trauma or emotional challenges. The horse-human connection fosters a powerful therapeutic experience, helping clients build trust, self-awareness, and personal growth in a natural and supportive setting. Please see our "Why Horses?" page in the drop down for more information.
No, you do not need to have any experience with horses to participate in an equine assisted session.
After completing intake paperwork, you will work with a mental health professional, an equine specialist, and a team of horses. You will interact with the horses and work toward your therapy goals under the guidance of your mental health professional.
You will need to wear close toed shoes and comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. We recommend dressing in layers to make sure you are comfortable.
Your session may be held outside in our outdoor arena, or in the indoor arena. When the weather turns cold, all sessions will be held indoors.
Some of the most common issues our clients address are trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and stress, depression, low self-esteem and confidence, relationship issues, grief and loss, improving communication skills, developing healthy boundaries and assertiveness, addiction and substance abuse, stress from life transitions, attention and focus issues, emotional regulation, and social skills or team building.
It is important to note that equine-assisted therapy is highly individualized, and the issues addressed in sessions depend on the specific needs and goals of each client. The therapeutic relationship with the horses often facilitates a unique and impactful approach to addressing various emotional and psychological challenges.
Most therapy programs last anywhere from 8-12 weeks. Your mental health specialist can create a custom plan to fit your needs.
Yes. We serve children ages 5 and up. Excelsior Ranch typically uses a group of miniature horses and donkeys to work with children.
Excelsior Ranch is located just outside of Princeton, Iowa in Scott County.
Group sessions are tailored to the learning objectives of the group. You will learn about horse and human psychology during the teaching portion, followed by guided activities with the horses. After the activities, we will discuss our experiences as a group to gain insight. We can schedule group sessions over several weeks or hold an extended session over one or two days. Call or email us to describe your learning needs.
To book an appointment, please email admin@excelsiorranch.com.
The typical fee for a session is $125-175, which covers the cost of a mental health professional, equine specialist, and the facility fee. Your insurance may cover a portion of this fee, and may have a negotiated rate with the mental health provider. Sessions for military and first responders are subsidized by donations and grants.
Depending on the mental health provider leading your session, we may be able to accept your insurance as a form of payment.
You can volunteer in various capacities such as a mental health partner, horse handler, facility maintenance, or fundraising advocate. Sign-up sheets are available at the open house, or you can contact us through our website.
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