Most notably, Ann Romney, the wife of the Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, is a proponent of therapeutic riding, incorporating it into her treatment for multiple sclerosis.

ANN REMICK BARLOW, a clinical social worker who has worked in equine assisted psychotherapy with children and families for nine years, said that even being outdoors can make people be more forthcoming.

“I’ve learned that people seem to relax more and be more themselves outside,” she said. “When they are out there with the horse, they just relax, usually, and talk.”

Ms. Barlow incorporates horses into family therapy, using the characteristics of the herd to illustrate family dynamics. She has also worked with veterans who have difficulty relating to their loved ones after returning from combat. The horses can help them understand their importance in their human herd.

Spas are using similar principles with corporate teams looking to better understand office relationships and how they affect productivity. Executives from Microsoft, Nike, Motorola and the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association are among those who have participated in the Miraval Equine Experience.

“They tell us, ‘We want team building, we want innovation, we want conflict resolution,’ ” said Mr. Tompkins. “And Wyatt basically customizes the program and through everyone’s behaviors we’re able to see who might be holding back in the group, who is the quiet one who really should speak up more, who are the innovative ones in the group. And it’s at that point that they can apply that to the boardroom or to the work environment to make themselves a stronger team.”