A Better Life Through Horses

By Jennifer Donovan, Equestrian Services, LLC

Dog may be “man’s best friend,” but horses can also offer the same - and maybe even more - emotional benefits to their caretakers as companion pets. Pets have enriched people’s lives on physical, emotional and social levels. Being social animals themselves, horses can play a particularly interesting role in helping us not only to relax, but also to teach us useful communication tools that can be applied to other areas of our lives.

The image of horses grazing on rolling fields of green grass conjures up a feeling of relaxation and contentment, which explains the growing popularity of equestrian communities; even non-equestrians can enjoy the benefits of seeing horses outside their windows.

The emotional connection between humans and animals has always been supported by anecdotal stories. Now, research studies are showing instances of the human-animal bond that are improving people’s attitudes, assisting in mental health therapies, and are linked to better physical health.

Many people with chronic back pain report that horseback riding provides excellent relief, as the movement in their backs created by the horse’s gaits naturally lubricates the joints of the rider’s spine. Those with arthritis benefit from the consistent physical activity of caring for and riding horses that helps alleviate their persistent pain.

Like other sports, horseback riding offers the physical benefits of exercise. But unlike other sports, the added component of dealing with a living, breathing, thinking animal to accomplish your goals also requires added intellectual and emotional work. The payoff to that extra challenge is the immensely satisfying feeling of making a connection with an animal that has become your partner.

While horses, large and powerful, can be intimidating to some, their size and power also creates an opportunity for people to overcome fears and build their own confidence. According to the American Hippotherapy Association, references to using horses for physical exercise were recorded as early as 377 B.C., when Hippocrates wrote a chapter on “Natural Exercise” and included horseback riding. During the 18th century, hippotherapy, also known as therapeutic horseback riding, was prescribed by doctors to help patients with improving coordination and balance.

While most people may be familiar with therapeutic riding programs for the handicapped and disabled, the use of horses for mental health is a relatively new field that is rapidly growing in popularity. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) utilizes horses to encourage the development of communication skills by analyzing body language and encouraging patients to learn new ways of identifying with, and expressing their emotions, to others.

As herd animals, horses learn what their roles in each social situation are and develop different attitudes and personalities accordingly. Patients discover that the way they approach one horse may not work with another horse, so they have to adapt and develop different techniques for expressing themselves, just as they have to do in situations with other people.

Anyone who can describe a special bond with their pet understands the strong bond a companion animal can offer. All pets, including horses, rely on us to provide them with everything they need to survive - food, shelter, care and companionship. In return, they offer their unconditional love and, oftentimes, unfailing loyalty. These are qualities that we can strive for in all our relationships, not just those with our animals.