Horses, Healing, and Hope: Equine-Assisted Therapy and Coaching for Veterans at Temekunga Farms

For many veterans, the journey home does not end with the return from deployment. Invisible wounds such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), moral injury, and the deep emotional toll of military service can linger long after active duty. At Temekunga Farms, located in the heart of Temecula’s rolling hills, we are proud to offer a powerful, evidence-based path toward healing through equine-assisted therapy and coaching.

A Trauma-Informed Approach: The EAGALA Model

Temekunga Farms is certified in the EAGALA Model (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), an internationally recognized standard in equine-assisted psychotherapy, learning and personal development. The EAGALA Model is ground-based and experiential, meaning there is no riding involved. Instead, veterans engage with the horses in structured activities designed to foster emotional awareness, self-reflection, and growth.

Each session is co-facilitated by a  mental health professional and an equine specialist, ensuring both the psychological and physical safety of participants. The horses act as partners in the process, offering immediate, honest feedback that helps clients explore emotions and patterns that words alone often can’t reach.

Serving the Veteran Community: Men and Women Alike

At Temekunga Farms, we proudly serve both men and women veterans, recognizing that the experiences and healing needs of each individual are unique. Whether confronting combat-related trauma, grief, transitions to civilian life, or the moral and emotional challenges that accompany service, our programs provide a safe, supportive space to process, reconnect, and rebuild.

Our work aligns closely with the VA’s Whole Health Initiative, emphasizing the connection between mind, body, and spirit. By integrating nature, horses, and guided somatic awareness, we help veterans move beyond survival and rediscover a sense of wholeness and peace.

Addressing PTSD, Moral Injury, and Whole Health

• PTSD: Horses mirror internal emotional states without judgment. This non-verbal reflection helps veterans recognize tension, fear, or disconnection, often the first step toward releasing it.

  
  

• Moral Injury: For those who carry guilt, shame, or moral conflict, horses model acceptance and authentic presence, helping veterans rebuild trust in themselves and others.

  
  

• Whole Health: Sessions encourage grounding, mindfulness, and emotional regulation, restoring the connection between mind, body, and environment that trauma so often disrupts.

  
  

Programs Offered at Temekunga Farms

We provide a range of EAGALA-certified services for veterans and their families:

• Individual Sessions – Personalized equine-assisted therapy or coaching for specific challenges such as anxiety, stress, or trauma recovery.

  
  

• Workshops – Group experiences focused on topics like resilience, healthy relationships, and emotional regulation.

  
  

• Retreats – Immersive experiences for deeper healing, connection, and reflection in a serene natural setting.

  
  

All programs are ground-based, trauma-informed, and designed to complement other forms of mental health or wellness care.

Why Horses Help

Horses live fully in the present moment. They are sensitive, intuitive, and profoundly honest. When a veteran steps into the arena, the horse responds not to rank, title, or story, but to emotion and energy. This authentic feedback helps participants gain insight, develop trust, and experience healing on a deeply human level.

Veterans describe the experience as transformational, a chance to quiet the mind, find balance, and reconnect with parts of themselves they thought were lost.

An Invitation to Heal

Temekunga Farms is honored to support those who have served our country. Through equine-assisted therapy, coaching, and community, we help veterans rediscover strength, purpose, and peace within themselves.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our veteran-focused programs, please reach out or visit www.temekunga.com to learn more about upcoming sessions, workshops, and retreats.

Because healing doesn’t have to happen alone, and sometimes, the most powerful therapists weigh over 1,000 lbs. and  have four legs.