Military veterans and their loved ones often find themselves confronting the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when navigating life after military service, but novel approaches such as equine-assisted therapy offer hope.
Mental health problems associated with PTSD include hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, avoidance behaviors, depression, heightened stress responses, nightmares, and flashbacks. PTSD can also produce physical problems such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, sleep disturbances, and endocrine and immune system dysfunction. Equine-assisted therapy—an experiential therapy treatment that harnesses the healing power of horses—appears to help with several of these debilitating symptoms.
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy or horse therapy, is a specialized form of animal-assisted therapy that involves interactions between individuals and horses. Equine therapy occurs in a controlled natural environment under the supervision of trained equine specialists and mental health therapists.
An equine therapy program encompasses much more than therapeutic horseback riding. During equine therapy sessions, participants engage in activities such as grooming, feeding, and leading horses and maintaining and cleaning tack (saddle and equipment). These interactions are designed to promote emotional regulation, social skills, and self-efficacy.
Unlike conventional mental health treatment such as talk therapy, equine-assisted therapy provides individuals with a distinctive, non-verbal pathway to delve into their emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns by directly interacting with these perceptive and intuitive animals.
Success of Equine Therapy for Veterans With PTSD
The Man O’ War Project was the first university-led research trial established to create equine-assisted therapy guidelines for treating veterans with PTSD. Researchers found that over half of the study’s participants experienced a significant decrease in both PTSD and depression immediately after treatment, with sustained improvements observed at the three-month follow-up.
Furthermore, a Baylor University study found that veterans suffering from combat-related PTSD experienced reduced depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms, along with an enhanced quality of life, following participation in an eight-week therapeutic horseback riding program.
Benefits of Equine Therapy for PTSD
These are some of the benefits of equine-assisted psychotherapy, particularly in the context of veterans dealing with emotional trauma and PTSD.
Emotional Regulation and Stress Reduction
Equine therapy offers a unique opportunity for veterans to regulate their emotions and reduce stress. Horses are sensitive animals that respond to human emotions and provide immediate feedback. So interacting with horses requires a calm and focused demeanor, which helps veterans learn to manage their own emotional responses.
This interaction can be particularly beneficial for veterans experiencing hypervigilance and heightened stress levels associated with PTSD. Through equine therapy, veterans can learn techniques to control their emotions and achieve a sense of calmness, which is valuable in managing PTSD symptoms in their everyday lives.
Building Trust and Relationship Skills
Building and maintaining trust in relationships can be challenging after experiencing traumatic experiences while serving in the military. Equine therapy involves establishing a bond of trust with horses, which mirrors the trust-building process in human relationships. Veterans learn to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and develop mutual trust with the horses—skills that translate to interpersonal relationships.
This experience can be transformative for veterans struggling with social interactions and trust issues related to their trauma. Learning to build healthy relationships with horses can empower veterans to apply these skills in their interactions with family, friends, and colleagues.
Providing a Safe and Non-Judgmental Environment
Equine therapy creates a safe and non-judgmental space for veterans to explore their emotions and vulnerabilities. Horses are intuitive animals that respond to human emotions without criticism or judgment. This unconditional acceptance allows veterans to open up emotionally without fear of rejection.
For individuals accustomed to the rigidity of military culture, equine therapy offers a refreshing alternative where vulnerability is met with empathy and understanding. This supportive environment encourages veterans to confront their trauma and work toward healing in a nurturing setting.
Improving Communication and Social Skills
Many veterans with PTSD struggle with communication and social interactions due to emotional numbness or hypervigilance. Equine therapy fosters non-verbal communication skills as veterans learn to interpret and respond to the horse’s cues. By practicing clear and assertive communication with horses, veterans improve their ability to express themselves effectively.
These enhanced communication skills extend to interactions with other people, facilitating healthier relationships and reducing social isolation for the veteran. Equine-assisted therapy provides a platform for veterans to reconnect with themselves and others through clear and meaningful communication.
Faster Therapeutic Progress
Equine-assisted therapy streamlines the therapeutic process by focusing on direct interaction between the client and the horse, bypassing the need for lengthy trust-building typically required in talk therapy with a mental health professional. Clients often feel less judged by horses. This facilitates quicker progress in their PTSD therapy.
Physical Engagement and Exercise
Equine therapy encourages physical engagement and exercise, which can be particularly beneficial for veterans recovering from PTSD. Interacting with horses can involve activities like grooming, leading, or riding, all of which require physical movement and coordination.
For veterans, engaging in these activities offers a productive outlet for pent-up energy and stress and can promote relaxation, release endorphins, and improve overall physical fitness.
Holistic Healing and Connection With Nature
Equine-assisted therapy fosters holistic healing by reconnecting military veterans with nature. Spending time outdoors with horses provides a break from urban settings and the stresses of daily life, promoting relaxation and a sense of freedom. Connection with nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
For veterans accustomed to structured military environments, the outdoor experience of this therapy offers a chance to appreciate nature’s beauty and serenity. The rhythmic motion of horseback riding can be grounding, fostering mindfulness and present-moment awareness. By integrating nature and animal-assisted interventions, equine therapy provides a holistic approach to addressing PTSD by facilitating emotional healing and inner peace.
Harnessing the Healing Power of Equine Therapy
Military veterans grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often face a complex range of mental and physical challenges that persist long after their service and affect their daily lives. As awareness of equine therapy’s benefits expands, more individuals are seeking this treatment to recover from the invisible wounds of war.
The perceptive nature of horses provides immediate feedback, aiding veterans in managing symptoms like hypervigilance and heightened stress responses. It also fosters essential communication and relationship skills. This results in improved interactions with family, friends, and colleagues. This holistic approach to healing addresses the multifaceted challenges of PTSD, empowering veterans to embark on a transformative journey toward recovery.