Britney Spears has been opening up about her equine therapy sessions in recent Instagram posts, and a source exclusively tells Life & Style she’s crediting the unique form of therapy with keeping her on track as she works to finally put the worst behind her in 2025.
“Britney loves horseback riding, but that’s not what equine therapy is,” the source explains. “Yes, she does do some riding, but it’s more about being with the horses and a therapist because it’s more about just being with the horses, feeding them, watering them, grooming them, it’s about being in their calming presence and also working with a therapist at the same time.”
The iconic singer, 43, captioned a black and white photo of a horse, “’I do equine therapy every Tuesday and Saturday because I’ve been so traumatized by people …”
Equine-assisted therapy, or EAT, as a term includes a range of therapeutic activities, from the relaxation of a horse ride as a hobby to pretty intensive psychotherapy that uses the horse as a form of animal-assisted psychotherapy.
The method is also being touted as a helpful practice by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as they’ve begun referring traumatized veterans to therapists that use equine-assisted psychotherapy in Houston. “Equine-assisted therapy is a great alternative approach that allows Veterans to address their trauma in a hands-on way,” said Dr. Shannon Sisco, whole health coordinator at the Houston VA.
Though “It might sound kooky to some people,” the source notes, “it’s actually been proven to help people in so many ways, not just with emotional regulation but also with trust, and even with life skills.”
The practice is picking up steam as an alternative to traditional talk psychotherapy in an office setting, and Britney being so open about her positive experiences with horses is sure to contribute to its adoption.
While, “Britney is doing all kinds of therapy,” the Princess of Pop, “says working with the horses has given her the most peace.”
Britney has worked hard to bring herself back from the brink after being involuntarily placed in a conservatorship in 2008. Over the past 15 years, fans became openly critical of the move and the media began to scrutinize her life once again. After accusing her management and family of abuse in a highly publicized testimony, which they denied, she was released from her conservatorship.
The embattled singer published a memoir in 2023, The Woman in Me, detailing how she managed to overcome the control and manipulation that had been ever present in her life since she was a teenager, when she very suddenly became a profitable product to many, much more business-savvy adults.
The ensuing chaos and trauma had a destructive effect on her mental health and personal life, resulting in a public meltdown that would eventually trigger the conservatorship. Britney seems to be in a much better place now, though, especially considering she’s actively seeking help.
“She’s going a couple of times a week now,” the source continues, “but she’s even talking about getting her own ranch so that she can have horses right on her property and be with them any time she wants.”
