Horses, clients mingle at Courageous Hearts

On a sunny December afternoon, a pasture of animals loll around a Lincoln farm enjoying the warm weather. But off in the distance, a mental health therapist has taken the traditional office visit outside where the patient can interact with donkeys, horses, geese, if they want, or maybe just watch the animals if that suits them better.

It’s part of equine therapy provided by Courageous Hearts, whose mission is to incorporate the healing power of horses to provide quality psychotherapy and personal development to individuals and families. The therapy farm also offers team building programs for businesses and organizations.

Executive Director Rosemary Baughman opened the facility on September Way in 2014 after operating in Argos Corner for a couple of years. Baughman, a licensed clinical social worker with close to 20 years of experience, took an empty plot, dividing it into tidy, fence-lined pastures, with a barn and now an indoor sand ring. An office provides two rooms where a therapist can meet inside with clients if they choose.

The outdoor experience sets Courageous Hearts apart from other mental health facilities.

“Sometimes people don’t want to be in a clinical environment,” Baughman said. “This is more relaxed.”

Baughman said a team of mental health and equine specialists work with about 100 clients a week. A lot of them are word-of-mouth referrals coming from area schools or the veterans administration. 

“It’s about building relationships,” she said. “We incorporate the environment and experience into the healing process.”

Horses, especially the facility’s two donkeys, are some of the best teachers, said Rebekah Baughman, an equine specialist and barn manager. “Donkeys can pick up on heartbeat and breathing from 10 feet away,” she said.

Young clients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have to learn how to control their energy and impulses in order to pet the donkey, or else the donkeys will run away, Rebekah said.

“Donkeys are very particular about how you approach them,” she said. “The clients have to put it together themselves in order to pet the donkeys. They have their own answers. They just need our help to guide them through it.”

Courageous Hearts does not provide therapeutic riding; interaction with the horses and donkeys is kept on the ground. For those interested in riding, Baughman says she refers them elsewhere. A lot of times, she said, clients come back because they realize riding wasn’t for them.

“The interaction between horse and client is the most powerful aspect of the program,” Baughman said. “It’s very obvious that these horses touch people. There is a relaxation factor.”

The facility is open by appointment only and accepts most health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. For more information, email courageoushearts1@rocketmail.com, or call (302) 491-6946.