Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Serving Salt Lake City
While Hope Reins Healing is based in St. George in Southern Utah, we regularly serve participants from Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and throughout Northern Utah through our intensive retreat formats and extended session options. If you're a Northern Utah resident seeking equine-assisted psychotherapy with rescued wild Mustangs—an experience unavailable in the Wasatch Front corridor—we offer flexible scheduling options that make the trip worthwhile, including multi-day intensives, weekend retreats, and accommodation recommendations.
Many Salt Lake City area residents combine their therapy intensive at Hope Reins with a Southern Utah getaway, enjoying Zion National Park, Snow Canyon State Park, and the Tuacahn area while healing with our Mustangs. The contrast between the urban Wasatch Front and our open desert ranch amplifies the therapeutic experience, providing a true retreat from daily stressors. We've worked with participants from Sandy, Draper, West Jordan, Murray, and Park City who make the journey for our unique programs.
Why Salt Lake City Residents Choose Hope Reins Healing
What Is Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an evidence-based mental health treatment that incorporates horses into the therapeutic process. Unlike traditional horseback riding therapy or therapeutic riding, EAP is conducted entirely on the ground—there is no riding involved. Instead, participants engage in structured activities with horses under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional and a certified equine specialist.
At Hope Reins Healing, we exclusively work with rescued wild Mustangs. These extraordinary animals have survived in the wild and understand resilience, trust, and the journey from struggle to safety—mirroring the experiences of many who seek our help. Horses are prey animals with a heightened sensitivity to human emotions and body language, providing immediate, honest feedback that accelerates the therapeutic process in ways that talk therapy alone cannot achieve.
Research continues to demonstrate that equine-assisted interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress while improving emotional regulation, self-efficacy, and social connection. Our 8-12 week programs are structured to measure these outcomes, ensuring that participants—and their referring providers—can see concrete evidence of progress.
Programs Available to Salt Lake City Residents
All programs are 8-12 weeks, led by licensed mental health professionals, and use our rescued wild Mustangs.
Veterans Program
Specialized PTSD and trauma processing for combat veterans and their families through 8-12 week structured sessions.
Youth Program
Ages 8-17: Building confidence, emotional regulation, and social skills through meaningful interactions with Mustangs.
Women's Program
A safe space for women healing from trauma, domestic violence, and life transitions with equine-guided support.
Recovery Program
Supporting addiction recovery through mindfulness, boundary-setting, and trust-building exercises with horses.
Caregiver Program
Preventing burnout and restoring emotional balance for those who spend their lives caring for others.
How to Get Started from Salt Lake City
Call Us
Schedule a free phone consultation at 435.243.7979
Assessment
Complete our intake form and meet with our clinical team
Begin Sessions
Start your 8-12 week program with weekly 90-minute sessions
Transform
Build skills that transfer to your daily life
Frequently Asked Questions: Equine Therapy for Salt Lake City Residents
Can Salt Lake City residents attend Hope Reins programs?
Yes! We offer intensive and retreat formats designed for long-distance participants. Many SLC-area residents combine their sessions with a Southern Utah trip.
Do you offer multi-day intensive programs?
Yes, we offer multi-day intensive formats that condense the therapeutic experience for participants who cannot attend weekly sessions.
Is Hope Reins the only equine therapy in Utah?
Hope Reins Healing is Utah's only equine-assisted psychotherapy program exclusively using rescued wild Mustangs. We are the leading provider of evidence-based equine therapy in the state.