Absolutely! Working within Horse Sense’s supportive environment, it is your fear that may prove especially effective in breaking through old patterns and revealing important insights. No prior knowledge of horses and/or horsemanship is necessary, by the way. 

Horse Sense of the Carolinas accepts cash, check and credit cards, and has scholarship programs in place for both Medicaid and Health Choice clients. For private insurance, we provide you with the necessary paperwork to be reimbursed by your insurance company. We encourage you to contact your insurance carrier before your first visit, and to be an informed consumer. To be an informed consumer, please download and review the Advocating for Services document prior to calling your company.

We have both covered and indoor facilities, which enables us to work year-round no matter what the weather. Obviously, we don’t work in severe or dangerous weather conditions, including bad storms or snow. We may opt to postpone and reschedule your session in these circumstances.

Contact Lisa Wheeler here at our office to discuss issues surrounding allergies. In many cases we can work around this so that you have a complete and exciting experience with minimal impact on you!

Obviously, you wouldn’t want to show up at our barn in your finest designer clothing. Dress comfortably! And dress to fit the weather. Due to our cool and sometimes-unpredictable mountain climate, we advise dressing in layers. Sessions might start out at one temperature, but become much cooler or warmer as they progress.

Referring agencies should expect to provide Horse Sense of the Carolinas with proper release forms signed by the clients so that important clinical information may be shared (such as assessments/evaluations, diagnosis, drug screen results, treatment goals, and progress notes). We also have a simple referral form on our website at HorseSenseOTC.com, where you can complete basic information about the client for our records.

At Horse Sense, we utilize two types of programs: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), both utilizing the EAGALA-model. EAP is effective for clients with mental health diagnoses and is idea for individuals, couples, and families. EAL is about developing lifeskills, and is utilized for schools and for groups who may benefit by having a mental health professional present in all sessions.

Each EAP client undergoes evaluation by our mental health professionals prior to beginning treatment to determine whether EAP is an appropriate form of therapy for their specific situation. The therapist may deem EAP inappropriate for the following:

• Children under the age of six (due to safety issues)
• Clients with severe cognitive impairment
• Clients with physical conditions that do not allow for safe interaction with horses
• Clients with agoraphobia
• Clients not taking their medication(s)
• Clients who are severely traumatized (determined by therapist during evaluation)

While we may work with recovering addicts, addicts who are actively “using” are referred to rehabilitation programs. Likewise, we do not perform couples counseling when domestic violence is current; we recommend individual therapy for the safety of both parties. If you are uncertain whether EAP may an effective treatment for your situation, contact Horse Sense to discuss your situation: 828-683-7304.

We feel the most ideal and productive way to conduct Equine Assisted Therapy is at the Horse Sense facility, where we have access to the proper environment, tools, and individual horses that give us the most flexibility in any situation. However, we can provide on-site services for select clients, bringing our team of horses and EAP professionals directly to your facility. Call Horse Sense and talk to one of our staff for more information on how this might work for you.

The therapists and equine specialists at Horse Sense are highly trained, both within their respective professions and by EAGALA, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. Continuing education and training, and third-party supervision are an ongoing part of our educational process.