Equine Therapy in Spain | Private Horse-Assisted Recovery at Sea Recovery

One-to-one equine therapy for trauma, addiction, and emotional recovery — offered in a private, luxury rehab setting near Marbella, Spain.

At Sea Recovery, we offer equine-assisted therapy as part of our personalised programmes for clients recovering from addiction, trauma, emotional disconnection, or nervous system dysregulation. Working with horses helps build trust, emotional clarity, and embodied connection — especially when words fall short or traditional therapy has plateaued.

Our equine sessions are delivered privately and at your own pace — in a peaceful, natural environment that supports grounded presence, emotional safety, and deeper nervous system healing.

What is Equine Therapy?

Equine therapy is a structured, non-verbal therapeutic approach that uses interactions with horses to help clients process emotional patterns, develop self-awareness, and regulate internal states. It’s not about horsemanship or riding — it’s about relationship, regulation, and reflection.

Each session is guided by a certified equine therapist and tailored to your emotional readiness. Clients build a bond with the horse through observation, grooming, leading, and energetic presence. These interactions often mirror inner patterns — revealing what’s hidden and offering new ways to relate to self and others.

Why Horses?

Horses are deeply attuned to non-verbal communication and nervous system signals. They pick up on subtle emotional cues and respond with immediate, honest feedback — without judgement or interpretation.

In recovery, where trust has often been broken (with self or others), horses offer:

• Immediate, embodied feedback
• Calm, non-judgemental presence
• Opportunities to practice trust, boundaries, and emotional attunement
• A break from language and cognitive processing

For clients recovering from dual diagnosis, emotional trauma, alcohol addiction, or drug addiction this kind of relational healing is transformative — often more impactful than anything said in a therapy room.

Who Equine Therapy Supports

Equine-assisted therapy is particularly powerful for individuals who:

• Feel emotionally disconnected, numb, or flat
• Struggle with trust, boundaries, or relational trauma
• Have difficulty with traditional talk therapy
• Experience chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, or emotional reactivity
• Are healing from abuse, grief, or attachment wounds
• Have never felt fully safe in their own body

It’s also ideal for high-functioning individuals who have learned to perform emotions without truly feeling them — helping them reconnect with embodied authenticity, presence, and vulnerability.

Client Story: Relearning Trust through Horse Connection

A 44-year-old woman came to Sea Recovery following a high-conflict divorce and a long-standing struggle with alcohol dependency. She described herself as “cut off” from her emotions and unable to connect with anyone without fear or control.

In her second equine session, she approached the horse with tension in her body. The horse turned away. Her therapist invited her to take a breath, soften her stance, and simply be present without needing to prove anything.

As she let go of the pressure to "get it right," the horse moved toward her — calmly and curiously. She burst into tears. “That was the first time something came to me without me having to chase it,” she later said. It became a turning point in her emotional recovery.

What to Expect in a Private Equine Therapy Session

Each session takes place at a local therapeutic riding centre near Marbella and is coordinated by our on-site team.

Sessions may include:

• Groundwork — leading, grooming, or simply observing the horse
• Non-verbal communication and energy attunement
• Emotional reflection and integration (before and after)
• Optional written or creative expression post-session

You don’t need any prior experience with horses. You won’t be asked to ride. This is about presence, not performance — and about what the horse mirrors back to you.

Why We Include Equine Therapy in Luxury Mental Health Recovery

Recovery isn’t always about language. Sometimes the body needs to experience safety before the mind can make sense of it. Equine therapy provides that safety — relationally, physically, and emotionally.

At Sea Recovery, we integrate equine work because it:

• Supports nervous system regulation and trauma resolution
• Helps develop self-trust and emotional congruence
• Builds relational awareness without cognitive overload
• Breaks through emotional avoidance and dissociation patterns

In a luxury rehab setting in Spain, clients have the space and support to process these experiences slowly — with guidance and without judgement.

Equine Therapy & Addiction Recovery

Clients in addiction recovery often struggle with emotional avoidance, shame, and disconnection from self. Equine therapy brings them back to embodied presence — allowing them to:

• Feel emotions safely in the body
• Receive honest feedback without human judgement
• Learn trust and surrender through real-time interaction
• Practice mindfulness, grounding, and energetic boundaries

It’s one of the most powerful therapies we offer for rebuilding identity, trust, and internal clarity during early and long-term recovery.

Life at Sea Recovery

Sea Recovery is a luxury, one-to-one recovery centre based near Marbella.

Your daily schedule may include:

• Private equine therapy sessions (1–2x per week)
• CBT, DBT, IFS therapy, or TRE
• Breathwork, cold therapy, and mindfulness
• Creative therapies, movement, and journaling
• Nutritional support, wellness treatments, and quiet space to reflect

This isn’t group therapy. This is bespoke, private recovery — designed around who you are, what your body needs, and what your healing truly requires.

Aftercare & Ongoing Equine Integration

After leaving Sea Recovery, we help you continue your connection to animals and nervous system regulation through:

• Referrals to equine therapists or therapeutic stables near you
• Creative journaling and emotional integration tools
• Remote check-ins and therapy continuation if needed
• Support building nature-based emotional practices at home

Equine therapy often becomes one of the most remembered and impactful parts of a client’s journey. We help make that impact sustainable.

FAQs About Equine Therapy

Do I need horse experience?

Not at all. Equine therapy is not about skill — it’s about emotional presence. You’ll be guided through everything with full support.

Will I ride the horse?

No — this is groundwork-based therapy. You may walk, groom, observe, or connect with the horse, but riding is not part of the process.

Is this safe for trauma survivors?

Yes. Equine therapy is trauma-informed and paced based on your comfort. The therapist and horse both offer calm, non-threatening presence.

How does it compare to talk therapy?

Many clients find equine therapy more impactful than talking — especially when words feel inaccessible or overwhelming. The horse often reflects what’s emotionally unspoken.

Begin Equine Therapy in Marbella, Spain

If you’re ready to rebuild trust, reconnect with your body, or begin healing without needing to explain every detail — equine therapy at Sea Recovery can help.

We offer one of the best private mental health and addiction recovery centres in Europe, with one-to-one support, luxury surroundings, and a trauma-informed team.

Contact us today to experience the quiet power of horse-assisted therapy and begin your recovery journey with calm, care, and connection.