Healing with horses: new therapy option comes to Aromas

The Backstretch may look like your average horse ranch, but their animals are not pets or racing partners. Their horses provide treatment for those suffering from mental health disorders. “My son has a lot of anxiety. He was born with it,” said mother, Isabel Romero.

Romero said her son’s anxiety impacts every decision their family makes. “Disneyland is not an option. It’s too much for him. If we can find something like this that would help him work through those things, it’d be awesome. Then we’d be able to go anywhere,” said Romero.

Romero’s eyes were opened to the possibility of healing through horses, Saturday. It’s called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Clinician, Jennifer Fenton, said she has seen horses transform the lives of her patients. “Horses allow for people to experience unconditional love and positive regard. This means, ‘I’m going to be here with you no matter what happens.’ For a lot of clients, it presents them with an opportunity to feel safe and not judged,” said Fenton.

Fenton started her non-profit, The Equine Healing Collaborative, in Carmel Valley. Now, she has brought her passion to the Aromas ranch, The Backstretch. It is there that rescue horses are given a place to call home.

The Backstretch cares for 49 therapy horses. Owner, Dennis Barwick, said every horse comes from a different background. They started collaborating with The Equine Healing Collaborative just two months ago. “We knew immediately that it was a fit. We knew that this was our opportunity to really show that we can rescue each other. We rescue the horse and in turn rescue each other,” said Barwick.

The idea of rescuing each other is something Fenton said will continue to inspire her, as well. “To just watch people recover is awe inspiring,” said Fenton.