Horses as Healers

Throughout history, horses and humans have had a special relationship. Now numerous studies have been done to show the effective treatment of a wide range of conditions such as anxiety, autism, dementia, depression and attention-deficit disorder, as well as eating disorders and other emotional and mental illnesses through the use of Equine Assisted Therapy. Allan, along with his wife Dr. Jane Hamilton Ph.D. a clinical psychologist, have developed horsemanship programs at their facility, Rancho Bosque, on the outskirts of Tucson. The couple has developed programs for troubled kids through VisionQuest Inc, instituted equine-assisted therapy for adults and children with cancer, and conducts unique equine programs for industry and healthcare.

The Four Footed Therapist

One of the therapists snorts at his patient, then nuzzles her ear. These therapists have four feet and weigh 1200 pounds. They never once ask “and how did that make you feel,” but they mirror precisely their patient’s thoughts, emotions and energy. They act as a divine mirror of our souls. These therapists are ready to take their clients on a journey of self discovery not on their backs, but side by side.

Horses are big and powerful, which means those riding and grooming them must overcome fear and develop confidence. Evolving as a prey animal, horses developed a keen awareness of everything going on in their environment, both from a physical standpoint, and the less tangible energy field realm. Horses have a way of seeing right through you; they see your fear, your feelings of inadequacy and your sorrow.

Allan's work as a horseman has been featured in Western Horseman, Equus, Practical Horseman as well as on PBS, CNN, and NBC television.

Horses Helping to Heal Cancer Patients

Cancer not only assaults the body but also lays siege to the heart and mind. Having a positive attitude, relying on one’s own spiritual and emotional strength, assembling loved ones to provide positive energy while rejecting negative situations that sap one’s strength are all integral parts of becoming a cancer warrior.

The Hamiltons have pioneered a program specifically addressing the challenges facing cancer patients, survivors and their families that uses horses to make dramatic breakthroughs in awareness, and to facilitate life altering changes.

Fear, anxiety, hopelessness, lack of focus, anger, victimization, are issues we all deal with in life that are brought to heightened awareness when one is battling cancer. The horse is such an effective tool for allowing us to see our inner emotional state and come face to face with these emotions. Horses react to our energy projections and to our intentions. Working with them on them through a series of excesses, the participants learn to adjust their emotional responses. By receiving immediate feedback, the right balance of energy and effort is found. The cancer survivors are emboldened by examples of how clarity of intention produce a desired outcome. This awareness is an empowering and healing breakthrough.

After a session with the horses, the group breaks for a discussion which allows the participants and volunteers to explore and share what was experienced. It is through these discussions that the life lessons are realized. The experiences with the horses are seen to mirror relationships. They are metaphors for every day life. They give insights on coping with health and recovery issues.

Rancho Bosque's equine program for cancer patients and survivors has been used to treat hundreds of cancer victims, and featured on CNBC, Anderson Cooper’s 360, and PBS programs.

Learn more about the Equine Programs at Rancho Bosque

Non-Verbal Communication Skills

Horses are the masters of communication without words. The Hamiltons have developed programs to teach non-verbal communication skills to people through working with the horses. Seminars like "From Round Pen to Boardroom: Learn to Harness the Power of Non-Verbal Communication" teach executives, health care professionals and industry leaders how to be more aware of the communication going on all around us that we ordinarily ignore.

Eighty percent of human communication is non-verbal and we spend almost of our attention on the spoken language.

Seminars for EAT training

The Hamiltons also provide training for psychologists, counselors, social workers, and therapists who want to add Equine Assisted Therapy to their programs. Participants become fluent in the use of sixteen separate exercises and techniques that can be employed in standard EAT sessions.