Wellness Horsemanship

By Alisha Casamona, NCC, CCTP

Location Redbird Cottage and Farm, Eustis Florida, 32736

Call or Text 814-671-2364

Email lishjolene@yahoo.com

Overview & Purpose

This is a wellness program strategically incorporating human-animal interactions into a formal therapeutic wellbeing, anti-stress process. You will be guided by Alisha, farm owner, and Nationally Certified Mental Health Counselor. Alisha brings years of experience and knowledge of how to handle and to work with animals. She has over 30 years of horse experience.

Wellness Horsemanship has many benefits for your emotional, physical, and spiritual health. You will relax and de-stress in a peaceful environment, tucked away on a local lake, while interacting with horses. You will have the opportunity to build the human-animal bond, through goal-directed interventions, as an integral part of a holistic wellness process.  Prior horse experience is not needed.

1. The program is for anyone from Ages 5 - 99 with a love for horses who wants de-stress and relax.

2. 30- or 60-minute sessions are offered and a horse will be provided for those who don’t have their own.

3. Riding and non-riding activities are available.

4. Each session is individualized to you.

5. The first session with Alisha will always be dedicated to learning about you and reviewing your goals and going over basic horse safety and basic rules of the farm. The first session will be 60- 90 minutes.

Objectives and benefits

To help reduce stress and have enjoyment with horses. Some possible benefits, but certainly not all: Reduction of blood pressure, Stress reduction, Reduction of anxiety (not related to animal phobias), Decrease depression, Ability to address grief/loss issues, Help with trauma and PTSD, Emotion regulation, Motivation, Self-esteem building, Developmental disorders, Emotional and behavioral problems, Substance abuse, Improved socialization, Improved communication, Opportunity to feel important, Increase engagement, Improve cooperation, Improve ability to trust, Help with relationship building, Help build physical strength coordination and balance, etc. 

Materials Needed

1. Boots/appropriate footwear is required.

2. Helmets are required if you plan to do riding. If you don’t have a helmet, you may use one of ours for a small rental fee.

3. All other tack and supplies will be provided.

Activities

During your sessions of 30 or 60 minutes, you will work on accomplishing your wellness goals with activities which may include developing horsemanship skills, and addressing life’s stressors, finding peace and wellbeing by using horses to improve your overall mental wellness.  Together, you and Alisha will come up with a plan on how you can best use your time working with the horses. This COULD include petting, grooming, leading, lunging, and riding, etc. and/or any combination of activities. For those that just want to spend time with horses, but not ride, there are several on the ground active options. This will all be discussed in your first meeting with Alisha.