“Recovery can take place only within the context of relationships. It cannot occur in isolation.  In a renewed connection with other people the survivor re-creates the psychological faculties that were damaged or deformed by the traumatic experience.  These faculties include the basic capacity for trust, autonomy, initiative, competence, identity and intimacy.  Just as these capabilities are originally formed in relationships with other people they must be reformed in such relationships.”  J. Herman, 1992.

Through the work with the horse the survivor has the opportunity to increase these capacities as well.  The process of regaining appropriate trust while remaining autonomous during the  connection with the horse, becomes a platform for healing in a non-threatening enviornment.