Equine therapy is rising in popularity in Rapid City

Bridget Williams runs Red Horse Healing in Rapid Valley and uses horses in therapy sessions for children and adults; she works with about 45 clients and is opening a new facility in Piedmont.

Bridget Williams runs Red Horse Healing, an equine therapy practice on a rural site in Rapid Valley near Rapid City. She recently led a barn session teaching children how to safely give a horse a treat as part of trust-building activities. Animal-assisted psychotherapy uses horses and other animals to help people address trauma, autism, anxiety, depression and grief. The practice has gained wider recognition through training programs, certification offerings and endorsements from professional groups. What we know: - Bridget Williams is a licensed professional counselor who has used horses in her practice for 15 years, including about 10 years at Red Horse Healing. - Red Horse Healing serves roughly 45 individual clients and also holds group or family sessions with up to eight people; Williams is expanding with a new facility in Piedmont. - Equine-assisted programming is offered at multiple sites across South Dakota, including locations in Rapid City, the Black Hills and East River programs such as Gentle Spirit sanctuary, Helping with Horsepower, HorsePower and McCrossan Boys Ranch. - The field has formal training and certification options, and a 2024 article republished by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration noted benefits such as improved communication and reduced anxiety. - The article reports that equine therapy is covered by most health insurers and by Medicaid in many cases. Summary: Local practitioners and community partners report that working with horses helps participants build trust, regulate emotions and express feelings in both group and individual sessions. Williams has expanded services and plans a new facility in Piedmont. Undetermined at this time how widely the modality will be adopted beyond existing programs.