When we are unable to manage powerful or difficult emotions and become anxious or depressed, we are in a state of dysregulation. This can present as disrupted sleep, eating patterns, anxiety, panic attacks, compulsive behaviours or addiction.   These strong emotions often arise from stress and trauma which can cause us so much discomfort we dissociate or disconnect.  This means our awareness shifts entirely outside of the body.  Our central nervous system is in a dysregulated state, and we become incapable of feeling our emotions or bodily sensations.   

Sadly, very few of us are ever taught skills to help us regulate our nervous system so we struggle to recover and heal.  When we cannot release the discordant energy of stress and trauma it remains energetically layered in our physical body so any future stress or trauma will be layered upon it.  

A dysregulated nervous system compromises our ability to regulate our emotions and disrupts bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and sleep. Somatic based modalities allow for both the release of discordant energy and regulation of the central nervous system.  While we are dysregulated and our body is in chaos, talk based therapy approaches simply cannot be effective.  

Because EIA creates a safe space for clients, the body can relax and discharge energies and emotions that are not serving a healthy purpose.  When the body (the central nervous system) is balanced our thinking becomes clearer, we are more creative, bodily functions improve and our overall sense of wellbeing is enhanced. In extreme states of hyperarousal…..the best we can do is to create a feeling of safety. We can help each other out by providing a safe nervous system to provide a touchstone for coregulation (Dr Kirrilly Thompson PhD Social Sciences). And this is exactly what horses help humans do! Spending time in EIA sessions can help because we learn how to regulate our central nervous system through activities and spaces designed to allow the horse to coregulate with us. 

If you would like to hear some real-life stories about the benefit of working with horses in this way, please view this documentary which was filmed and produced by a team of young people with disability (and mental health challenges). These young people participated in an EIA program and wanted to share their experiences.

If you would like to experience how being in the presence of horses can improve your sense of connection, please reach out to Elizabeth who is a trained CEEL and AEFL practitioner.