Recently we had a chance to visit Berkshire HorseWorks on their 7-acre private farm in Richmond, MA. We had never heard of the EAGALA therapy, nor had either of us been on a horse in many years. So needless to say, we were very excited to do some Berkshire horseback riding! Through the gorgeous horses, we would learn about the unique way Berkshire HorseWorks facilitates change. Join us as we take you to this beautiful farm in the Berkshires, and tell you all about our experience!
Berkshires Travel Inspiration
- 6 Best Small Towns to Explore on a Trip to The Berkshires
- 10 Fun Things to do in Lenox MA: Tanglewood, Nature Walks, & More
- Ramblewild: Our High Flying Trip to the Aerial Adventure Park
- Planning a Visit to the Berkshires: 10 Step Fun & Easy Travel Guide
- Hiking Monument Mountain: Guide to the Best Hike in the Berkshires
Berkshire HorseWorks General Info
Location: 101 Patton Rd, Richmond, MA, 01254
Website: http://berkshirehorseworks.com/
Hours: Appointment Only
Contact: (413) 698-7300
What is EAGALA Horse Therapy?
EAGALA is a special form of therapy involving horses. Mental health is more important than ever these days, and Berkshire HorseWorks is bringing people and animals together in a great way. What makes this form of therapy so interesting is that it forces you to look for answers within yourselves.
With the EAGALA method you’re not riding the horses, but learning together side by side with them and problem-solving. Horses are the perfect animal for therapy because they’re able to read and mirror the emotions of humans. A day with the Berkshire horses is a fun and interactive way to grow personally or professionally, whatever your object may be!
About Berkshire HorseWorks
Now that you know a little bit about EAGALA horse therapy, let us tell you what they do at Berkshire HorseWorks. Berkshire HorseWorks is a non-profit run by Haley Sumner in Richmond, MA. Here they offer both mounted and non-mounted activities with the horses. The coolest part about this equine business is that they cater to all types of people and situations.
Berkshire HorseWorks helps everyone from veterans and at-risk youth to families and corporate retreats. They have an onsite Airbnb so it’s perfect for a weekend getaway where you can take in nature and some Berkshire horseback riding. They even have couples show up to try EAGALA therapy and ride Berkshire horses on their very first dates!
Meeting the Berkshire Horses
Now it’s time to get into our amazing experience at Berkshire HorseWorks! Before we rode the horses we would get to meet and learn about them. Meeting and treating the animals is the first step to EAGALA horse therapy. It’s a way to connect and understand them which then allows you to look deeper into yourself.
We started off meeting the friendly donkeys before saying hello to horses which we would eventually ride! We were asked a series of questions and did some team-building and problem-solving exercises. Honestly, we’ve never done any sort of therapy and we see now how much of a transformative experience it can be.
Our Berkshire Horseback Riding Experience
Now for the best part! Our time on the trails was easy, but a fun end to the day. Before taking off we were shown the basics, and then a member of the Berkshire HorseWorks team walked us into the dense Berkshire woods. After our earlier work with the horses, we definitely felt more connected with them!
Unlike other animals, it felt like the horse was truly listening to us. After our ride we said goodbye, but we wish we could’ve ridden all day! The good news is if you’re visiting Berkshire HorseWorks you can set up everything from 60-90 minute sessions to a full day. They’ll even prepare wine, food, and whatever else you’d like to make your time magical.
Have any questions on Berkshire HorseWorks, or want to share your own experience with EAGALA horse therapy? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where To Stay in The Berkshires
Ultra Luxury – Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa – Take in some luxury in this historic Wyndhurst Mansion turned resort. Enjoy golfing, spa treatments, and views of the beautiful Berkshire countryside.
Fun Vacation – Courtyard by Marriott Lenox – Just a quick drive from downtown Lenox, this is the perfect spot to relax after a fun day of exploring. While there are plenty of historic hotels and Airbnb’s in the area, we enjoyed having the modern amenities and swimming pool at the Courtyard by Marriot.
Bed & Breakfast – Chambery Inn – This beautiful bed and breakfast is situated out in the countryside of Lee, but still close enough to walk to local restaurants and shops. You’ll also be just a few miles from attractions such a Tanglewood and Butternut Ski Resort.
Historic Hotel – Red Lion Inn – This historic hotel is a landmark in the town of Stockbridge. Stroll through town which is right at your doorstep, or simply watch the day pass you by while sipping on drinks on the front porch.
For more places to stay in the Berkshires you can explore the latest prices here!
This experience was made possible in collaboration with 1Berkshire. All photos, opinions, and recommendations are our own.
Pin For Later ↓
New England Travel Planning
Flights: We always find great flights using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld can be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars when traveling. Consider renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another for an epic road trip!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities around the country. Book a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, skip the line at the Empire State Building in NYC, or go on a Scenic Boat Tour in Portland Maine!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered! We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
