4 ways Equine Therapy can improve wellbeing
Did you know as a Buddy Up Member, you may be able to get the opportunity to experience Equine Therapy?
Horses are sentient beings that have a connection with people that goes back through the centuries. They are non-judgemental and have no expectations or hidden agendas. A horse operates in the here and now and responds immediately and honestly to what is happening in its environment. Horses are experts in reading non-verbal signals and body-language. Check out further information from Equine Alliance HERE.
It is these qualities that make them so valuable in the Equine Therapy program.
Last month, some of our South-East Queensland Chapter members participated in an Equine Therapy day at Equine Alliance on the Sunshine Coast, and they reported many benefits to their wellbeing in undertaking this activity.
Here are 4 ways Equine Therapy can improve well-being:
1. Improve mindfulness – learn how to be in the here and now
Interacting with a horse requires attention and focus. You’ll need to watch what the horse does and pay attention to your own actions to make sure you don’t startle or upset them.
Throughout your session, you’ll also monitor the feedback you get from the horse. You’ll gauge whether they seem calm and willing for you to approach and touch them. You’ll also discern what their body language is doing and what their vocalizations convey.
All of this requires you to remain in the moment, without letting thoughts of past events or future ones sweep you off course.
“(This was) a fantastic, family friendly day of learning the strategies and benefits of slowing down and being in the moment. Highly recommend.” (QLD Buddy Up Member)
2. Ease stress and anxiety
Equine Therapy is a form of mindfulness which can help to interrupt unhelpful patterns or behaviours, including anxiety responses like rumination. This might have particular benefits as you cope with the source of your anxiety.
A 2018 study showed, through participation in Equine Therapy, veteran participants reported short-term improvements in anxiety, PTSD, stress, and depression, along with happiness and quality of life. And 3 months later, their symptoms had mostly returned to pre-program levels — with the exception of anxiety, which remained slightly lower than at the start of the program. Further information on this study HERE.
In Equine Therapy, most of the activities include nurturing the horse. These activities require the individuals’ complete attention and keeping their minds occupied, therefore preventing them from thinking about various other things that can cause stress and anxiety.
“The experience was very calming and in the moment. No thoughts were given to outside troubles or worries. I achieve a feeling of peace and calm, which I don’t feel very often at all. I slowly built up a sense of trust with our horse, Taylor, and my anxious feelings were alleviated.” Philomena and Sophie, Buddy Up members. (QLD Buddy Up Member)
3. Boost confidence and low self esteem
Low confidence and self-esteem can drag down any individual and affect all other areas of life. Working with animals, like horses, can increase humans’ well-being as the horses do not make fun, criticise, or make any comments that could hurt anyone’s feelings.
Interacting with horses can positively impact your life and can help anyone come out of the shell. Especially in the case of introverts, or people suffering from any kind of mental or physical disabilities who have difficulties talking to other people, Equine Therapy boosts their esteem and confidence.
During Equine Therapy, individuals tend to develop a special bond with the horse, developing a sense of trust.
“It was a spontaneous decision that had me sign up for this course. For me, the course unfolded gently with the ‘being in the moment’ stuff. The team was like a family guided by Helen and Janice. I felt myself relaxing more and more, and getting more confident with the horse, Leroy, who shared this experience with me. Ï would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in getting to know themselves more. Great location, wonderful teachers, thank you!!” (QLD Buddy Up Member)
4. Improve communication skills especially body language and non-verbal skills
Equine Therapy teaches you to communicate with horses effectively. When you use these skills, the horse will likely engage with you.
Horses do not speak, but they are excellent communicators. Learning to understand horse behaviour can help people learn the way their behaviour can impact others.
In Equine Therapy, you will learn how to use non-verbal communication skills to interact with the horses and undertake activities such as gently leading them through an obstacle course.
What to expect from an Equine Therapy session:
Each therapy session will generally include some of the following activities, depending on the type of program:
spending time observing horses and behaviour
grooming and brushing a horse
leading a horse on a walk inside an enclosed area
guiding a horse through an obstacle course or along a trail
Buddy Up can organise Equine Therapy for our members in our local Chapters located across Australia. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and local Chapter Facebook groups for future events.
Join us as a member
Join us HERE to get involved. Lifetime Buddy Up membership is free for current and ex-serving military, emergency services and family members. Membership gives you access to our free or subsidised social, fitness and volunteering events in our chapters across Australia.