Track Clinic –a leading UK based provider of Equine Therapy launches its new dedicated equine therapy centre in Frome Somerset to expand its transformative impact on mental health to more people across the UK.

Track Clinic, previously based at a smaller site in Corsley, Wiltshire has shown how working therapeutically with horses has surpassed the expectations of its clients and referring organisations. Over the last 7 years Track Clinic's team of experienced therapists and equine coaches that adhere to the framework and ethics of EAGALA, a globally recognised Equine Assisted Psychotherapy model has helped thousands of people of all ages address emerging and established mental health issues.

93% of people who undergo treatment at Track Clinic - in blocks of 3-6 sessions - report significant improvement in their mental health and wellbeing.

The new site being launched is the first and only purpose built 'natural boarding' equine-assisted centre in the UK designed with the wild habitat for the horse in mind – including a vast space to roam, forage, with hills to climb and shelters to choose at their free will. The herd of four horses and one alpaca are nurtured with the best environment to regain their natural behaviours and enable them to nurture and dedicate themselves to healing humans to the best of their ability. 

Track Clinic and its herd has supported adults through anxiety, depression, illness, burnout and work-related stress, relationship difficulties and complex PTSD. Adolescents have found relief from ADHD, OCD, self-harm, eating disorders and social anxiety arising out of lockdown. Autistic children and foster children with attachment disorders and early life trauma have experienced significant improvements in emotional wellbeing and social engagement. With the massive 25% increase in the levels of anxiety and depression identified by the World Health Organisation after the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic and escalating ever since the healing power of horses is needed more than ever before.

Nina Leijerstam, Founder and CEO of Track Clinic, explains why it is so transformative: 'Horses instinctually sense imbalance in another being whether animal or human. As herd animals they always act for the benefit of the collective. They draw attention to beliefs and behaviours that need releasing, completely free from judgement and expectation. They attune us to our intuition in a world that increasingly closes us off from this powerful, primal ability'.

During treatment, clients spend time interacting with the herd in their natural habitat. The horses are free from halters, ropes or instructions and the clients are free from task orientated goals other than to 'simply be with the herd'. Each session is facilitated by an equine coach and a qualified psychotherapist who observe the patterns and shifts in behaviour of the horses and help the client bring awareness to their authentic internal state and agency in finding resolution.

A horse may rest its head on a person, lean gently towards them, walk away or simply continue to eat grass. They may drop down on the grass with someone who needs to feel safe. They may run alongside someone who needs to find lightness and self-regulation. They may rock gently back and forth with someone who needs comfort. They may spin in circles with each other in front of someone who needs to address conflict.

They may drop their heads to acknowledge sadness. Everything that happens is due to the energy the horses feel in their space and is information to aid recovery.

A 42 year old Senior Oncologist at London's Pure Tech Health, Aleksandra Filipovic, tried many modalities of self-development before reaching out to Track Clinic: "The experience was nothing short of a miracle. I really hadn't anticipated how deeply the work could go in such a short space of time. The horses gracefully mirrored my internal shifts, with their change of posture, movement or energy. They embodied roles of people in my life and played out the scenarios I needed to reconnect with. I left with deep insight into how to find space and self respect. Five months later, I continue to feel so much lighter, so much more myself."

15 year old Tara*, who grew up in foster care, rarely left her room. She suffered with anxiety related to early life trauma. She declined support from NHS Child & Adolescent Mental Health Teams finding it too difficult to engage in talking therapies. Her foster mother explains; "Within just 4 weeks of treatment at Track Clinic, Tara* developed in confidence and became relaxed, even jovial. Having not spoken to us for over a year, she began to be able to articulate her feelings, share her difficulties and explain clearly what she needed from us.' *not her real name

Quantitative studies of programmes conducted internationally by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA.org) have demonstrated positive outcomes for stress management, adolescent mental health, psychiatric inpatients, victims of abuse and trauma patients. Track Clinic is proud to be working in association with Dr Sam Carr at Bath University to further explore the evidence base of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

About Track Clinic:

Track Clinic is an outdoor therapy centre providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for children and adults with emerging and established mental health conditions and Equine Assisted Coaching for professionals and business teams looking to develop leadership skills and emotional intelligence.

They say: " We are a team of experienced therapists and equine coaches who adhere to the framework and ethics of EAGALA, a globally recognised Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Coaching model proven to elicit emotional and behavioural change.

We work with private individuals, businesses, local councils and schools to provide individual, family and group therapy and emotional Intelligence & wellbeing programmes. No prior experience of horses is necessary to benefit from the work of Track Clinic. All that is required is a curious mind and a willingness to explore. The horses take care of the rest. "

https://www.trackclinic.co.uk/