Horses bring us into the present moment
Our connections and desire to have a relationship with animals dates back tens of thousands of years. Seems like there is something special and mystique in connecting with horses. People of all ages feel drawn to horses because of their magical beauty, grace, majestic stature and strength. Therefore being in the presence of horses seems to transform people in various ways.
Clinical studies have proven that being around horses changes the brain wave patterns of humans. Being in the presence of horses brings us more into the present moment, we calm down, become more focused and centred. Transformation happens.
Especially during the last twenty years we have learned more about the beneficial effects of being around horses and using this positive interaction with horses for therapeutic encounters with clients. The positive experiences with human-horse interactions have shown profound healing on physical, emotional and mental challenges. As a result, children with autism often begin to say new words or express themselves more often. Furthermore women heal themselves from abuse, set boundaries, stand tall and become more confident. Bosses become more sensitive leaders and teams grow together when experiencing to do tasks with the horses. Veterans feel they can finally deal better with what they have gone through and traumatic experiences can be dealt with through somatic experiencing in the presence of the horses; and much more…
It is just wonderful to observe when shy, withdrawn, fearful people are guided to connect with their hearts, and become confident as they lead a 500 kg animal through an obstacle course. Horses are responsive beings. They are always aware and sensitive to what is going on in their surroundings. Horses have as many individual personalities, physical abilities and limitations as the humans they are working with. Best of all, horses never lie and give immediate and honest feedback. This feedback is used in the coaching process with the horses.
Equine Experiential Learning sessions can be fun and enjoyable, clearing blockages and freeing, insightful and transformational. They can lead us back into our natural balance and become confident about our abilities. The sessions at HORSE REFLECTIONS are always tailored to the individual’s needs.
I am a great believer how horses can help people who are stressed or feeling down, or lack of confidence. I have use some of mine horses over the years for therapy.
That’s beautiful, Helen.
I have seen them work miracles.
Me too. 🙂
I have had a horses since I was a child. I loved my horses very much.
My husband also had horses as a child and we shared that love for them as family with our kids and even some of our grandkids.
Five years ago I suffered a brain injury and my doctors told me I would never ride again.
Each time I went back to my Neurologist I told him “I am going to ride my horse!”
One day he stopped, turned around and looked at me.
Then he sat back down on his stool and rolled up closer. He looked me in the eye and with a kind voice yet serious he ask “Does it bring you joy riding your horse?”
I said “absolutely that is why I have been telling you I am going to ride!”
He smiled and he replied “then ride!” “But you must wear your helmet!”
He gave me a few more rules… but that was the beginning of my real healing.
Things are different but what has not change ever is love between my horses and I.
When I do ride even though it is not with the ease as before there is a peace and joy that gives me such gratitude for those moments. The moments give me strength to know that I can face other challenges that come my way.
I thank God for my family, many blessing, and gift of being able to ride my horse and connect with them as I love to do.
Thanks for sharing your personal story with us, Julie. Yes, horses can help us heal in many ways. Blessings, Petra
Do you have any links to the research? I am also a practitioner and appreciate any research that supports the human horse connection.
Sorry, Erica, for the late response. I haven’t kept any links as to me it was not important. I see the changes in every client from going through trauma escaping the fire, car or horse accidents, escaping being murdered by the husband, physical and sexual abuse and other…………
We’ve personally done tests ourselves with the emWave2 device from the HeartMath measuring before and after a session. The results were all showing a clear, mostly massive change on the wave/scale. https://www.heartmath.org/research/
Love to measure those changes in the brain with @wavimed
Rob, we’ve done tests with the emWave2 from the HeartMath Institute. A before and after having a session with the horses and the results and shifts were amazing 🙂
My eyes are flooding over with water as I read and reread you letter here. I have had what my psychiatrist call a traumatic brain Injury and I have many other physical and emotional problems right now. I just buried my Wife after forty-three years and five days of marriage. We have a daughter and she is trying to take care of this old and broken Disabled Veteran. I guess I’m not that old or Disabled.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story of healing and love for horses; I too have loved horses since I was a tiny girl.. my love for these magical creatures of grace and beauty will always be the same.. they delight m heart.. up close.. in a pasture far away.. anywhere.. anytime.. my love for horses will always be the same.. they are natural born healers ❤️❤️
Sweetest of blessings
Annie Erickson
Just talked with a long time friend yesterday. She suffered a brain tumor a couple of years ago and has had a long difficult road, but she is one of the most determined people I know. She has had an amazing career as a professional photographer and has travelled the world, mostly the Arctic and Antarctic. She also has just been cleared with her doctor to join Equine therapy. She has decades of experience with horses and feels that equine therapy will bring back muscle memory and help her balance and Lord knows it will help with her with her mental recovery–just the smell and feel of a horse under her. We all wish her great success. She deserves this so much. Thank you to all who have posted about others who have been helped by equine therapy. It is helping so many.
Thanks for sharing about your friend’s journey. It’s wonderful that the doctors get more and more behind it. So good to hear that. All the best for your friend. I see horses working miracles on clients all the time. And, it’s not about sitting on them. We use the therapy unmounted and it is just perfect for everyone for various reasons. (That might be another blog post)
I am a licensed counselor in my state with 50+ years horse experience. I also am certified as a therapist who does Equine Experiential Learning. In my car I got hit by a cement truck 1 year and 11 months ago. It caused brain damage, a broken neck, nerve damage in rt. arm creating numbness in right hand. Also I now have a heart condition due to impact.It is amazing that I am alive and not paralyzed. I don’t have any horses now, but I will again, I will ride and hopefully be able to assist people to improve their lives using horses, again. I am looking forward to being with my equine friends.
That’s wonderful news, Joan. And, it’s not necessary to sit on a horse to benefit from the experience of being with a horse. 😉
I have owned horses since 2005. They totally calm me down when I am upset or sad. I have saved atleast 10 killpen horses in the last 3 years and it’s amazing to see them transform to trusting, loving, and awesome friends in the end.
Can you please provide references to the ‘clinical studies’ you have cited to support the contention that horses change brain wave patterns of humans? Pease note: I believe this hypothesis but would like to be able to identify and read these specific studies.
Sorry, Camilla, for the late response. I haven’t kept any links as to me it was not important. I see the changes in every client from going through trauma escaping the fire, car or horse accidents, escaping being murdered by the husband, physical and sexual abuse and other…………
We’ve personally done tests ourselves with the emWave2 device from the HeartMath measuring before and after a session. The results were all showing a clear, mostly massive change on the wave/scale. https://www.heartmath.org/research/ There is also another device called wavimed, which is almost like a brain scan. I do not know more about this one though.