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).

Since I was a little girl, I have been afraid of horses. They always seemed so big and so powerful, especially when I saw them galloping and heard the pounding thunder of their hooves on the ground. And so it was a real challenge coming to terms with that fear when I began riding horses and competing in theshow jumping ring some years ago. In the process, though, I realized that many of the lessons I learned on a horse have strong relevance and application for leading and motivating a team in pursuit of a worthy mission.

As in any sport, riding is about more than just the technical, physical aspects; it absorbs you emotionally and intellectually. What I've learned in the saddle can be applied by any leader looking to become more effective and engaging on all those fronts. Here are some of the most important lessons:

1. Be aware of the frame you are in: emotional awareness and confidence are critical. Your state of mind determines your horse's performance. If you're nervous getting on a horse, it will sense that. Horses and people are not that different; your internal sense of foreboding, optimism or confidence has an impact on the people around you whether you realize it or not. Being emotionally aware allows you to consciously choose how to respond in any given situation. For example, in 1915, when the Antartic explorer Ernest Shackleton was trying to keep his men alive on floating ice floes after their ship sank through the ice, it was critical that he not evidence his own fears and doubts to his team. He had to sort through this anxiety himself and then choose to act from a different, calmer, and more pragmatic set of motivations than his own fear.
   
   
2. Your energy is contagious. Energy passes through you to your horse. To ride well and connect to your horse you need to learn how to use that energy. The same goes for leading an organization. Leaders don't control most of a business's projects and activities. As a leader, what you can control is the energy in a particular situation — be it a meeting, public forum, or around the company cubicles. All eyes are on you, and your team will sense if you are scared or uncertain or frustrated, and react accordingly. By harnessing and shifting your energy, you can use it as a resource to imbue the people around you with a sense of trust and calm and focus.
   
   
]]>http://horsesenseotc.com/home/rss-comments-entry-11872812.xmlAdminWed, 08 Jun 2011 17:34:02 +0000http://horsesenseotc.com/home/2011/6/8/summer-magic.html732276:8588376:11734416Can you believe that it is already June? We are reaching the halfway mark of 2011 – amazing! Around these parts, the year has already been very eventful, with mother nature being sure to remind us that we small humans are not as in charge of things as we sometimes like to think! With a little luck, hopefully June will bring a reprieve from the crazy weather.

Of course, June also brings the official beginning of summer – summer solstice. The solstice is always a welcome point on the calendar, marking the start of outdoor barbeques, long summer days and the banishment of wooly winter clothes, but this year we are even more excited to welcome summer in with open arms. We have a new addition on the farm!

The Labyrinth
Several years ago I was at a retreat in Minnesota. The days were packed and my body and soul were exhausted, happily. I had been trying to think of ways to make the most of our incredible 90-acre parcel of heaven at the ranch, ways that would help us reach even more people, and impact the world in a positive way. At one point, back in my room, I found a note that I had written to myself – I have no idea when – that simply said: “Build a labyrinth on farm.”

That’s right – a labyrinth!

When we started Horse Sense, we wanted to connect our love of horses with our passion for people – for making a difference in people’s lives and helping them overcome their barriers and succeed. Getting to feed the horses is what got us up in the morning and getting to watch our clients experience true breakthroughs is what motivated us to keep going.

After more than eight years, we are blessed to still be here, doing this work that we love. But the thing is, we know that there are more people we could be reaching. We know that there is so much more that this magical place has to offer.

I had seen a labyrinth used at another horse-related retreat several years ago, and they also use one at Prescott College, in Arizona, where I serve as a graduate advisor, so I have seen firsthand the powerful effects this pathway can have on participants.

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