Options available for animal assisted therapy are varied, such as rabbits, dogs and cats just to name a few. Horses, are found in ancient Greek literature as far back as Hippotcrates where they are used for therapeutic riding. Horses has been involved in the field of work with physical disabilities and this has been documented since the 1950s. However, the psychotherapeutic dimension of the human horse connection has only begun to be explored for over the last 20 years.

Horses seem to have an affinity for healing effects on youth. Besides that, clients are able to feel themselves to be accepted unconditionally as horses are non-judgemental and they listen without interruption. Clients are able to learn life metaphors through activities with horses and identify areas of change in relation to those activities and outcomes to their individual lives.

Some wonderful metaphors can be learned with horses: 
Beberapa metafora yang indah dapat dipelajari dengan kuda:

Dealing intimidating and challenging situations in life
Menghadapi situasi yang menakutkan dan mencabar dalam kehidupan
Since horses are large and powerful, this is a good opportunity for client to overcome fear and develop confidence. By earning the respect and cooperation of a horse, this can increase client’s sense of personal power and confidence. The experience of personal control with a horse helps the client to boost their sense of their own ability in handling events in their life that previously made them feel powerless. The process of trusting a horse can be a restoration of trust in one’s self.

Oleh sebab kuda ialah besar dan berkuasa, ini adalah peluang yang baik untuk individu mengatasi ketakutan dan meningkatkan keyakinan. Dengan memperoleh penghormatan dan bekerjasama dengan kuda, ini dapat meningkatkan keyakinan diri. Pengalaman kawalan peribadi dengan kuda membantu untuk meningkatkan keupayaan sendiri dalam mengendalikan peristiwa dalam kehidupan mereka yang sebelum ini di mana individu merasa tidak berkuasa. Proses mempercayai kuda boleh dianggap sebagai pemulihan kepercayaan diri juga.

Creates an awareness of other’s feelings and needs
Mewujudkan kesedaran tentang perasaan dan keperluan orang lain
Through developing empathy for the horses, clients learn to be kind with horses, respect horses and responsibility are empowered to begin to do the same in their relationship with others in their lives.

Moreover, horses are sensitive to non-verbal communication and they give direct responses to any approach the client makes. An interaction with the horse would require to recognize, understand and manage own emotions and responses to keep the horse from withdrawing.

Melalui perkembangan empati untuk kuda, individu dapat belajar untuk melayan kuda dengan sifat kasih sayang, menghormati kuda dan aplikasi dalam kehidupan untuk memupuk hubungan dengan orang lain.  

Lebih-lebih lagi, kuda sensitif terhadap komunikasi tanpa lisan dan mereka memberikan respons langsung kepada setiap respons yang dilakukan oleh klien. Interaksi dengan kuda memerlukan pengiktirafan, pemahaman dan pengurusan emosi dan tindak balas sendiri untuk menjaga kuda daripada melarikan diri.