Berkshire Horseworks

Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. is a 501c3, mission driven nonprofit, which has offered Eagala Model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Learning, Equine Assisted Team Building, and other therapeutic and recreational activities with horses for the last 10 years. Recently, BHW expanded into educational space, with the introduction of Horse Powered Reading and Math curriculums. All experiential programming for children, families, and those at risk of mental health, behavioral, and literacy challenges is funded through grants, donations, and direct pay from corporate team building and recreational activities including trail rides. To date, BHW has seen over 3,500 at-risk youth, active duty, veterans, families, and other vulnerable populations in the Berkshires and throughout New England and New York.

To those not familiar with equine therapy, it may be surprising that human / horse interactions led by highly trained individuals can be helpful to a wide range of individuals and groups. This is because much of the equine therapy is facilitated by non-verbal communication skills. Similar to many other animals, horses communicate non-verbally by using body language that sometimes mirrors the emotions and behaviors of those around them.

When taught be certified therapists, Equine therapy has shown to have many positive benefits, some of which include:

• Confidence
• Self-Efficacy
• Problem Solving
• Self-Concept
• Communication
• Trust
• Perspective
• Decreased Isolation
• Work Ethic
• Self-Acceptance
• Attitude Improvement
• Impulse Control
• Social Skills
• Boundaries
• Spiritual Connection
• Teamwork
• Emotional Growth

These skills can be applicable to individuals seeking personal growth and development, whether children, adolescents, teens or adults. It is also useful for relationship or team building for families, couples, nonprofit groups, corporations, and more. It has proved very successful in treating at-risk youth and veterans with PTSD.

Equine therapy should always be performed by a certified EAGALA certified facilitator such as those at Berkshire HorseWorks. The modality has proved to be very effective with individuals who are challenged by  conduct and dissociative disorders, depression, attention-deficit disorder, anxiety, dementia, autism, PTSD, and other related disorders.

See our growing list of pages under the “Who We Serve” navigation tab that are dedicated to different types of services available to help those with specific conditions. We will also be adding pages dedicated to organizational growth and learning.