The horse man's best friend

The horse man's best friend

The exact origin of horses is not known, although it is believed that they originated near the Thaelon Forest and spread from there, either due to land bridges to other continents or because they were introduced to other areas by humans.

Horses are believed to have been one of the first domesticated animals. They are definitely one of the most useful animals – transportation, carrying and even for warlike purposes. There are many types of horses around the world, and they have different characteristics/personality.

Horses perceive us in a pure way, unhindered by words, appearance or social status. The great thing about horses being your “best friend” is that you can’t fool them. Horses teach us to be in the moment. Since horses have no distractions, they are attuned to a person's every nuance and provide instant feedback.

A horse is a non-judgmental friend, but often a rider must adapt or change his own behavior to get the horse to respond. Like us, horses have different personalities. So what works with one horse won't work with another - similar to people. Horses also require humans to engage in and persevere in challenging physical and mental work, a trait that, once learned, is useful in dealing with life's many intimidating and challenging situations.

What about horses that gives them a place as “man’s best friend”? They are big and powerful, which means drivers and groomers must overcome fear and develop confidence. Horses sense a person's confidence. Having ridden horses from infancy, I can attest to their innate ability to instantly see through a person.

According to Edward Cumella, PhD, director of research at Remuda Ranch Treatment Center in Wickenburg, Arizona, horses easily see our fear, feelings of inadequacy, sadness and anger. Cumella states, "Horses' sensitivity to nonverbal communication helps patients develop a greater awareness of their own emotions and nonverbal cues, as well as the role of nonverbal communication in relationships."

Treatment centers from the East Coast to the West Coast offer equine-assisted therapies to help people from drug addiction to cancer recovery. Horses and people have always had a special relationship. The ancient Greeks first documented it in 600 BC. The therapeutic use of riding horses. In 1875, a French doctor first supported a study of the value of horseback riding as therapy, using it to treat neurological and psychological disorders.

More than 10 studies over the past 20 years show that animal-assisted therapy - equine therapy is the most common - is effective in treating anxiety, autism, dementia, depression and attention deficit disorder, eating disorders and other emotional dysfunctions.

At the Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding in Tennessee, riders with spina bifida experience the exhilarating rolling motion of walking for the first time using a horse's four legs rather than their own two.

I spent nine months interning at Green Chimneys in Brewster, New York. Horses from Iceland helped emotionally disturbed children gain independence and self-confidence. Growing up with horses, it was impressive to see the children go from being afraid of being near a horse to wanting the horse to sleep with them.

Remuda Ranch helps children with eating disorders gain greater self-acceptance and self-confidence. At Medicine Horse in Colorado, at-risk teen girls coping with mood or attention disorders feel more comfortable and develop supportive friendships based on honesty and respect. If you disrespect a horse, you can expect repercussions – biting, headbutting, turning away, refusing to cooperate or kicking. Rancho Bosque at Sunstone Cancer Center in Tucson, Arizona, clients learn that they have the power to be in the moment and control how they handle a potentially dangerous human-animal situation.

This is the alchemy of equine assisted therapy. When you bring a horse and a human within breathing distance, something inexplicable happens - a communication that only they understand. Diane Kennedy, psychotherapist, registered riding instructor and founder of the 10-year Medicine Horse program in Boulder, Colorado, believes, “Horses reflect our emotions, thoughts and feelings.” Observing how horses react—how we interpret their behavior—can help therapists untangle their clients' murky issues. “The horse becomes a transitional object,” she explains, “a creature that is safe to be intimate with and that reciprocates the same love that it has given. People become familiar with this type of solid connection and can incorporate this knowledge into everyday life.

“Horses are uniquely sensitive and provide people with a non-verbal means of accessing their emotions, which can accelerate the pace of healing,” explains Dr. Allen Hamilton of the Sunstone Cancer Center at Rancho Bosque in Tucson, Arizona. He models his equine-assisted therapy after the Native American teaching that horses are a gift from the Creator and act as guides and spiritual brothers for the Sioux and Apache people. Native Americans believe that animal energy has medicine for humans and that every human has an animal as a source of guidance.

"Horse is a physical force and a supernatural force. In shamanic practices around the world, horse allows shamans to fly through the air and reach the heavens. Humanity took a great leap forward when horse was domesticated, a discovery similar to that of fire. Horse was civilization's first veterinary medicine. Today we measure the capacity of engines using the term "horsepower," a throwback to the days of horse Honored and valued partner of humanity was [on a daily basis]“Jamie Sams and David Carson, medicine cards.

Medicine Horse's participation in the national Hope Foal Project, which rescues at-risk foals or mares that are confined and pregnant to produce estrogen for the hormone replacement drug Premarin, simultaneously rescues at-risk teenage girls coping with mood or attention disorders that can have serious consequences. Under the guidance of a trained facilitator, the horses become the girls' non-judgmental ally, helping them set boundaries, relate to others and build trust without getting hurt.

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