Equine therapy has certainly been popular for autism, developmental disorders and now veterans with PTSD, but for clinical therapists, the bulk of cases have to do with relationships. The question then becomes, can equine therapy help improve relationships?

The answer, is yes, and here are three ways:

1. Energy awareness. People are often very unaware of the energy they bring into a relationship and how this energy may affect others. This energy that I am referring to is of course, housed nonverbally, but yet felt and often unintentionally expressed.While people are frequently hesitant to mention to another person just how their energy may be affecting them, horses, on the other hand, simply react to it. By shying away from someone who is very angry, for example, or protecting someone who is very vulnerable, a horses response to a person’s energy can illuminate and clarify the energy a person brings into a relationship.
   
   
2. Exploring expectations. When faced with teaching a horse a skill, a person’s expectations of the horse, but in a more general sense, of others, comes to the forefront in a very visual way. As with energy, people are often quite unaware of the expectations they bring into a relationship and just how these may affect others. 
   
   Through experiencing the effect of these expectations on a horse, people can draw similarities between how the horse may be reacting and how their partner may be reacting.
   
   
3. Learning communication style. People communicate in different ways, and as with expectations and energy, knowing just how to communicate, and how it affects others, often escapes us. So when a horse responds in a characteristic way, it can demonstrate for a person just how their approach affects others.
   
   This can be something as simple as wanting something to happen, but asking for it in a way that is simply too meek for anyone to hear. Of course in this circumstance, the horse will not respond, just as any other person would not, having not heard the message. In a circumstance such as this, the person can then practice altering their communication style to achieve the desired ends, in a way that is much less emotionally charged than with their partner.

While this is only a summary of a few of the ways working with horses can help improve relationships, there are a multitude of unique and useful exercises that many therapists have developed to increase trust, improve empathy and foster increased mutual respect between two people.

SHOTS: NPR's Health Blog

Those of us who own pets know they make us happy. But a growing body of scientific research is showing that our pets can also make us healthy, or healthier.

That helps explain the increasing use of animals — dogs and cats mostly, but also birds, fish and even horses — in settings ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to schools, jails and mental institutions.

Take Viola, or Vi for short. The retired guide dog is the resident canine at the Children's Inn on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. The inn is where families stay when their children are undergoing experimental therapies at NIH.

Vi, a chunky yellow Labrador retriever with a perpetually wagging tail, greets families as they come downstairs in the morning and as they return from treatment in the afternoon. She can even be "checked out" for a walk around the bucolic NIH grounds.

"There really isn't a day when she doesn't brighten the spirits of a kid at the inn. And an adult. And a staff member," says Meredith Daly, the inn's spokeswoman.

But Vi may well be doing more than just bringing smiles to the faces of stressed-out parents and children. Dogs like Vi have helped launch an entirely new field of medical research over the past three decades or so.

The use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years, says Aubrey Fine, a clinical psychologist and professor at California State Polytechnic University. "One could even look at Florence Nightingale recognizing that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill," says Fine, who has written several books on the human-animal bond.

But it was only in the late 1970s that researchers started to uncover the scientific underpinnings for that bond.

One of the earliest studies, published in 1980, found that heart attack patients who owned pets lived longer than those who didn't. Another early study found that petting one's own dog could reduce blood pressure.

More recently, says Rebecca Johnson, a nurse who heads the Research Center for Human/Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people's level of the hormone oxytocin.

"That is very beneficial for us," says Johnson. "Oxytocin helps us feel happy and trusting." Which, Johnson says, may be one of the ways that humans bond with their animals over time.

But Johnson says it may also have longer-term human health benefits. "Oxytocin has some powerful effects for us in the body's ability to be in a state of readiness to heal, and also to grow new cells, so it predisposes us to an environment in our own bodies where we can be healthier."

Animals can also act as therapists themselves or facilitate therapy — even when  they're not dogs or cats.

For example, psychologist Fine, who works with troubled children, uses dogs in his practice — and also a cockatoo and even a bearded dragon named Tweedle.

"One of the things that's always been known is that the animals help a clinician go under the radar of a child's consciousness, because the child is much more at ease and seems to be much more willing to reveal," he says.

Horses have also become popular therapists for people with disabilities.

"The beauty of the horse is that it can be therapeutic in so many different ways," says Breeanna Bornhorst, executive director of the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program in Clifton, Va. "Some of our riders might benefit from the connection and the relationship-building with the horse and with their environment. Other riders maybe will benefit physically, from the movements, and build that core strength, and body awareness and muscle memory."

On a recent day, one of the therapeutic riding program's instructors — speech therapist Cathy Coleman — worked one on one with 9-year-old Ryan Shank-Rowe, who has autism.

Well, not really one on one. The co-therapist in this session was a speckled pony named Happy.

"Walk on" said Ryan, and Happy obediently did. "Excellent," Coleman replied.

As the session progressed, Ryan made Happy trot, weave in and out of poles, and he even rode bareback, all the while answering Coleman's questions and keeping up a continual back-and-forth chatter.

Coleman says she used to see Ryan in a more formal office environment. But since he started horseback riding, his speech has actually improved.

"I get greater engagement, greater alertness, more language, more processing, all those things," she says. "Plus, he's just really good at it."

And Ryan's mother, Donna Shank, says the riding has helped with more than just his speech.

"It's helped his following directions, some really core life skills about getting dressed and balance — which really translate to a lot of safety issues, too."

But not all the research is focused on the humans. "We want to know how the animals are benefiting from the exchange," says Johnson of the University of Missouri.

Much of Johnson's research, for example, has focused on the value of dog-walking by studying volunteers who walk dogs at animal shelters. She even wrote a book, Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound.

Those programs have clearly helped people get healthier, she says. Not only do they increase their exercise while they're walking the dogs, "but it increases their awareness, so that they exercise more during the week."

But it turns out the program was also helping the dogs.

"What we found was that they were significantly more likely to be adopted if they were in the dog-walking group," she says, thanks to the additional exercise and socialization they were getting.

Johnson is now working on a new project with likely benefits for dogs and humans. Military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are providing shelter dogs with basic obedience training.

And while it's still early in the research, she says, one thing seems pretty clear: "Helping the animals is helping the veterans to readjust to being at home."

Now the research is getting an even bigger scientific boost.

The National Institutes of Health, with funding from pet food giant Mars Inc., recently created a federal research program to study human-animal interaction. The program, operated through the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, offers scientists research grants to study the impact of animals on child development, in physical and psychological therapeutic treatments, and on the effects of animals on public health, including their ability to reduce or prevent disease.

Johnson says it's critical to establish the scientific foundation for the premise that animals are good for people, even if that seems obvious.

"The last thing we want is for an entire field to be based on warm fuzzy feelings and not on scientific data," she says. "So it's very important that now the NIH is focused on this ... and it is helping scientists across the country like myself to be able to do our research."

from Claire Dorotik (LMFT)
PsychCentral Equine Therapy: Straight from the Horse's Mouth Blog

With the holidays progressing rapidly, and the state of the economy on a fast decline, finding ways to improve mood is now more important than ever. However, as with most things, when they are needed most, is also when they are hardest to attain — think the ones who are hardest to love and how they need it the most. And while the truth is that being around horses will certainly not stop the difficult holiday reminders many people suffer, or in any way improve the economy (horse owners would attest to this point), but it just might make a person feel a little better in one of the following ways.

1. Physiological Calming: Neurochemicals can be cunning little things. They rise often without their host’s awareness, and can wreak havoc on all sorts of health factors. To be sure, stress, and the physiological ramifications of it are now considered to be possibly even more predictive of a potential heart attack than levels of cholesterol or blood pressure.
   
   Given the dangers of elevated levels of epinephrine, cortisol, and dampened levels of serotonin, most people struggle when it comes to just how to lower them. Well, being around any animal has been demonstrated to be an effective way of calming the physiological system, and often due to their size and power, horses can have an even more pronounced effect on a person than other types of animals.


2. Introduction to nature: Horses live outside, in nature, in rhythm with the natural world around them. Humans, on the other hand, effectively insulate themselves from the world around them through a variety of barriers from cell phones to high rises. Yet being connected to the world around themselves is a very important survival skill — and the statistics on the correlation between “distractions” and accidents is a very telling factor.
   
   Perhaps even more importantly, many people feel incredibly disconnected from those around them, while all the while, being presumably “connected,” via some form of wireless device. Simply spending time outside with another living being, absent the daily distractions is a very healthy, and very rejuvenating experience.


3. Reduction of isolation: People, unlike horses, isolate when they feel sadness, shame, disappointment, or loneliness. Here again, we can learn a lesson from our equine friends. When feeling any of these emotions, horses immediately are surrounded by the herd (I talk in depth about this in several chapters of my book), even if moments before, a herd member was dominant over the upset horse. Interestingly, horses seem to have adopted the concept that the ones who are hardest to love, need it the most.

So, in a time when some mood boosting is needed, and the answers seem to disguise themselves, consider spending some time around a horse, as it just might provide the very experience that’s needed — with a few answers carefully hidden in the herd.

Don't know Mountin' Hopes? Founded in 1997 by Kathryn Graeter & Pat Magnus, this organization has been offering therapeutic riding to residents in WNC for many years. Their mission?

You can see why Mountin' Hopes & Horse Sense have a natural synergy. Learn more about all the work they have done and about what they do by visiting http://www.mountinhopes.org/!

Over the years, several Horse Sense staff members have served on the Mountin’ Hopes board of directors. The two programs have collaborated multiple times to provide services, host fund raisers, and conduct various training programs for staff and board…all while referring clients back and forth as needed between programs.

This fall Mountin’ Hopes announced the sale of its farm property in Mars Hill, NC. When the sale went through, they contacted Horse Sense to help with their Fall teaching schedule. Horse Sense is providing access to our state-of-the-art facilities so that the clients of Mounain' Hopes have a quality location for their riding lessons.

Horse Sense is happy to collaborate and continue supporting Mountin’ Hopes during this critical transition period. As we like to say, “Working together works!” And together we’ll make Western North Carolina a better place for horses and people.

The first session will be held at Horse Sense on Saturday, November 12th, from 8 am to 4 pm. Because the program is limited to eight teens, they will have an opportunity to really share their individual grief experiences, and to discover new ways of moving forward a nd coping with their challenges.

Why horses??  Horses live in the present. They don't worry about what happened yesterday, or even five minutes ago. Through specially planned activities with their equine "therapists", these teens will be helped along on their grief journey.

Horse-riding skills are not required for this program. The second session will be held on November 19th at Greatrex Place at Four Seasons in Flat Rock.



Recently, EAGALA met with key ranking officers from the Behavioral Division of the Army of the Surgeon General, the office of the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army MEDCOM Warrior Transition Command, The Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Human Performance Resource Center to demonstrate the Model of equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP). Unlike therapeutic riding, EAGALA model EAP utilizes ground-based activities where horses serve as metaphors, such as representing relationships with family or unit members, fears, strengths or aspects of self. "According to a growing number of professionals, horse therapy can be significantly more productive than traditional talk therapy and can be used either as a short term approach for those facing re-deployment or as a longer treatment aiding many in reintegration into civilian and family life or in dealing with the potential trigger effects of the 9/11 anniversary," said Thomas.

According to a pilot program conducted by Refuge Services, an EAGALA Military Services Program in Texas, after only six sessions, veterans and their spouses reported up to 60% improvement in severity of marital problems including physical and verbal abuse, financial disputes, parenting choices, forgiveness and time together. Couples also reported up to 50% improvement in conflict resolution, emotional closeness, trust, sex, anger and respect. "For someone in the military like me, it is hard to swallow my pride and ask for help. This was a safe environment to open up in. Sometimes the horses talked for me and helped show me the path to help my marriage," stated an officer in the study.

"The EAGALA Model uses the horse to gain insight into behaviors and perceptions. The horse's reactions provide unbiased and real time feedback, breaking through the barriers that many military members experience in conversations with others who cannot begin to understand what we feel because we made it back. EAP provides a strategy for dealing with trauma in a way that makes sense to military service members," stated Jimmy L. Walters, COL, USA (Ret).

"Horses are the best therapists for many veterans, because most vets don't want talk therapy," says Julie Giove Sardonia, MA, LMFT, a therapist in California. "Healing happens in nature, especially for the military. A soldier's relationship with a horse can provide emotional insights and self-understanding," she concluded.

"We have conducted a number of EAGALA EAP sessions with our veterans focusing on coping resources, resilience and anger management. Across the board, veteran participants have said never have they found a group or individual session so useful and life-changing, and that they have found hope. After these workshops, many reflect frequently on the experience and skills learned then take them into their daily lives," said Susan T. Lisi, AFGE Local 3306 Chief Steward, VA Medical Center in Canandaigua, New York.

"I have been to so many therapists and nothing worked. The horses put it right in your face - it's intense, but it works for me," said a female soldier who served 7 years and was diagnosed with PTSD.

The EAGALA Military Services program will generate and monitor research and assessment projects such as those above and continue to educate, recruit and inform professionals on both sides of the spectrum to the efficacy and availability of horse related therapies for our servicemembers and their families.

As a 23 year active duty member of Special Forces reported, "I had my missions and I got them done ... that's why I was needed and what counted. ... I don't know why these horses understand what I am feeling but they do - and they still accept me. It has made it possible for me to not just be a tool in the military, but to get re-connected with my family and myself."

Why EAGALA?

EAGALA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization developed in 1999 to address the need for resources, education and professionalism in the fields of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. The association has set the standard for professional excellence in how horses and humans work together to improve the quality of life and mental health of individuals, families and groups worldwide. In partnership with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), EAGALA provides an opportunity for a second career for horses retired from racing. EAGALA has more than 3,500 members in 40 countries. For more information on EAGALA Military Services, go to http://eagala.org/military . Photos available.



Buck Brannaman’s personal story is certainly remarkable – he’s a remarkable man who overcame tremendous adversity and terrifying abuse at the hands of his father to evolve into one of the most influential Natural Horsemanship practitioners in the United States. Brannaman is also one of the famous “second generation” practitioners of Natural Horsemanship…a small handful of people who were lucky enough to learn from the legendary grandfathers of the movement, which include Tom and Bill Dorrance, Troy Henry, Ronnie Willis, and Ray Hunt. Its foundational idea includes building a relationship with horses to elicit perfect partnership, responsiveness, and cooperation without fear, force, or intimidation.  

What’s so significant about Natural Horsemanship? For one thing, the Natural Horsemanship movement is largely responsible for radically changing our culture’s stance toward horses. In the past 50 to 60 years, we’ve evolved our regard for the horse from that of “pack animal” and “farm implement,” to “leisure activity”…and now, to “facilitator” in evolving the growth and change in human development…quite a leap! In fact, Natural Horsemanship – via Buck Brannaman and other influential horsemen – is hugely responsible in changing our culture’s predatory, dominant viewpoint toward horses. We’re moving toward a place of acknowledging the power and beauty of a truly collaborative relationship.

Viewed through the lens of horsemanship, the Buck documentary shows us this reflection of horses, and illustrates their power to invoke change and growth in people around them. Brannaman acts as the master “translator” in the process, conveying his basic, grounded kindness to each horse and their human. We see how that then transforms each horse/human partnership in a natural circle that plays itself out again and again.

What we find is that it’s usually the human who finds change through the horse, not the other way around. The people who seek Brannaman to fix “problems” with their horses usually end up fixing problems in themselves.

In our work at Horse Sense, we use Natural Horsemanship in everything we do – from playing with and developing our own herd of mostly-rescued horses to developing activities for our clients. The Natural Horsemanship principles of “fair but firm,” “put the relationship first,” and “continuous self-improvement” guide everything we do in our work. Natural Horsemanship allows us to acknowledge the horse’s natural instincts and gifts, and access that power for Equine-Assisted human growth in our clients. In turn, it has influenced how we approach, treat, and handle the horse to how we should approach, treat, and handle our clients, our friends, and our families.

On Saturday August 7th, Horse Sense hosted its first ever yoga event! Welcoming Yoga turned out to be a beautiful morning on the farm!  We practiced leaving technology behind for a few hours and really allowed ourselves to fully embrace the amazing natural world. With plenty of acreage to explore and abundant wildlife (not to mention horses), we managed to fit in a full Tibetan Heart Yoga and a walk in the labyrinth.

Josie and Kendall are already considering how to make the next yoga experiential on the farm even more engaging and relaxing. Certainly more time with horses is on the agenda for future events. We practiced Mountain Pose and Virabhadra'sana in the mare pasture and had some hands-on time with the herd of five, but with all the lessons horses have to teach us we could have spent the whole day (or a lifetime) just connecting with them. Check back for future on when we will do this again!

If you are interested in the next Welcoming Yoga, click here to email us & we'll connect with you as soon as it's scheduled!

A metaphor goes out and comes back; it is a fetching motion of the imagination.
                                                            Tony Hoagland

Early in May I participated in an introductory training at Horse Sense of the Carolinas (HSotC)* near Marshall, NC. Little did I know I was metaphorically in for a ride without ever mounting a horse.  I was glad to learn this since I haven't ridden in 40 years. I had no expectation for what we would do with horses if we weren't getting in the saddle.

Our leaders, Kendall Smith and Shannon Knapp, led us to the corral and gave us our first assignment: stand silently along the fence and observe the four horses.  Then Kendall, the therapist, and Shannon, HSotC founder who holds advanced certification from EAGALA**, asked us to share our observations. Kendall rendered our comments into two types: 1) observable behaviors (e.g. the black horse hangs his head) and 2) the observer's interpretation or assumption of behavior whether or not she has identified that behavior (e.g. the black horse looks forlorn).