When traumatised people can only meet others with mistrust, contact with animals often becomes the first bridge of trust towards reliable relationships. Our horse-assisted, trauma-informed programme is for children, adolescents and adults with trauma-related disorders.
Who is it for?
The programme is for people with trauma-related disorders who
- feel drawn to animals and are open to contact with them,
- refuse other forms of therapy,
- have lost their trust in people,
- reject contact with other professionals,
- are hard to reach or
- are tired of therapy.
Our goals
- Positive relationship experiences that foster attachment, so that those affected feel included, recognised and supported
- Strengthening self-awareness of sensations and feelings
- Help with regulating emotions and impulses
- Fostering the ability to mentalise
- Psychoeducation and support in the cognitive processing of one’s own experiences
- Activating coping skills and self-empowerment through biography work and learning self-help
- Ending re-enactments of the trauma
- Stabilisation
Why with horses?
With the horse, a triangle of relationships emerges between client, professional and horse – the so-called triad. It makes it possible to reach even people who refuse other forms of therapy.
- Horses can act as ice-breakers and make it easier to get in touch.
- Horses are highly inviting and act as motivators.
- The presence of the horse can help people to open up emotionally.
- Horses are social beings and allow a lot of physical closeness – this can meet the human need for closeness.
- Being carried while riding can give a sense of security and trust and make up for unmet early childhood needs.
- Riding can stabilise the body and have an anti-dissociative effect; the movement promotes attention, coordination and mindfulness.
- With a horse, communication without words is possible.
- People can form a bond with animals – we make use of this in our work.
Our trauma-informed approach
Assuming a good reason
“Everything a person shows makes sense in their story!”
People with trauma often show behaviour that can be stressful and challenging for those around them. We assume that there are good reasons for this behaviour and acknowledge it – a first step towards developing other ways of behaving together.
Appreciation
“You are fine just the way you are!”
Traumatised people have experienced powerlessness, helplessness and arbitrariness and often see no meaning or value in themselves and their actions. Together with the horses, we enable them to experience themselves and their behaviour as increasingly valuable. We build on their strengths: doing things you enjoy lets you experience your own abilities and learn to value yourself.
Participation
“I believe in you and I won’t overwhelm you!”
Being able to help shape one’s own living conditions is important for mental health. Traumatised people have experienced an extreme loss of control. That makes it all the more important for them to experience autonomy, competence and belonging – and horse-assisted intervention can offer exactly that.
Transparency
“Everyone has the right to clarity at all times!”
Traumatised people have experienced power and hierarchy as abusive. That makes transparent, responsible handling of hierarchies, structures and power relations all the more important. We offer a safe place that is predictable.
Fun and joy
“A lot of joy can carry a lot of burden!”
Psychological trauma is closely linked to extreme feelings such as fear, powerlessness, shame, grief, anger and disgust – the emotional balance has been thrown off. Together with the horses, we bring the joyful side back to life, so that burden and resilience can find their balance again.
The farm – a safe place
Children and adolescents who have had traumatic experiences are unsettled and have often lost trust in their surroundings. They need stability, support and a “safe place”.
The Sommerhof lies in a quiet spot right next to woods and meadows and is still easy to reach – a sheltered setting in the countryside. Our very well-trained therapy horses of various breeds live together in a species-appropriate group. The facilities include a floodlit outdoor arena, an indoor arena, several meadows, paddocks with shelters, a covered grooming area, a stable building and a hut for relaxing. There is plenty of parking.
Sessions generally take place all year round and in any weather, in a calm and undisturbed atmosphere – in the stable and the outdoor arena or in the adjoining forest.
Do you have any questions or would you like to know more? Write to us using the contact form. You will find Annika Sommer’s professional background under About us.
