University Health and Wellbeing Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) and Animal Science Department Launches 'Stable Minds: Healing with Horses' Program
Key values at Michigan State University’s University Health and Wellbeing include collaboration and compassion. Through a collaboration with MSU’s Animal Science Department and the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center, UHW can offer students a transformative mental health experience through Stable Minds: Healing with Horses, a unique group counseling program that combines mindfulness practices with equine therapy.
Developed by UHW unit Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Counselor Lauren Enty and CAPS Director Dr. Swapna Hingwe, in collaboration with Dr. Karen Waite from MSU’s Animal Science Department, the program provides students with the opportunity to engage directly with horses, fostering emotional growth and mental wellbeing. CAPS Embedded Counselor, Christian Gibson also assists with running the program.
The six-session workshop, co-facilitated by equine expert Dr. Waite, integrates equine-assisted activities in a structured, supervised setting at the Horse Research and Teaching Facility. Research shows that horses can have a positive impact on mental health outcomes for individuals with mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The program aims to help students improve emotional regulation, increase self-confidence, expand their knowledge of equine-assisted therapy, and foster connections with their peers.
Lauren and Swapna Hingwe's inspiration for creating Stable Minds has a personal connection. After unexpectedly losing their student who loved horses, they wanted to find a way to honor their memory "I wanted to find out a way to honor our student," Lauren shared: "So, I reached out to Dr. Waite, to see if she had any ideas." Dr. Waite was eager to collaborate, having long hoped to partner with CAPS on such an initiative.
Each session begins with Lauren teaching a therapeutic skill, followed by hands-on activities with the horses, such as brushing, feeding, haltering, and eventually leading them. Many of the students have never interacted with horses before, making Stable Minds an inclusive environment that welcomes participants regardless of their prior experience. This accessibility allows students who might not typically have access to horses to step outside their comfort zones and engage in a unique therapeutic experience. By providing this rare opportunity for most, the program enables students to build confidence, learn new skills, and benefit from equine therapy in a supportive setting that might otherwise be unavailable to them.
The program has received enthusiastic feedback from participants:
- “There is something so powerful about being part of a group and receiving wisdom from others.”
- “Equine-assisted therapy has been a positive and transformative process. The skills I’ve learned with the horses have translated into my everyday life. I feel calmer and more grounded after every session.”
- “Key points for me: mindfulness, trust in oneself, and building confidence in my interactions.”
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the MSU Horse Teaching & Research Center. Groups are intentionally kept small, with 3-6 students per session, to ensure personalized attention and support.
Through the collaborative effort that created Stable Minds, UHW continues to expand its mental health services, offering students innovative and impactful ways to enhance their wellbeing.
