Equine therapy may be helpful for those with dealing with PTSD.
Someone who has experienced or witnessed a tragic event may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a serious mental health disorder. The quality of life may often be affected negatively by those suffering from PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, hopelessness, flashbacks, and nightmares. There are different types of therapy that can be beneficial in the treatment of PTSD, including equine therapy.
Equine-assisted therapy, sometimes known as horse therapy, is a type of counseling that uses horses to help clients with a range of physical, emotional, and mental health issues. Despite the fact that there are many different methods of equine therapy, the most of them involve teaching patients how to engage with and form bonds with these kind animals as well as grooming, feeding, and riding horses. This offers a unique experience not typically found inside an office face to face with a therapist, rather one where a patient can connect with nature and animals.
So how does horse therapy help people with PTSD? Here are a few potential benefits:
Enhances relaxation and reduces stress: People with PTSD may discover that horse therapy improves their ability to relax and reduce their levels of tension. Spending time with horses has been shown to have a calming effect on the body and can help people feel more grounded and in the moment while taking their mind off of negative and anxiety provoking situations.
Relationships and trust are built: Horses are highly perceptive animals known for their ability to recognize and respond to human emotions. Equine therapy can help PTSD patients with two things: learning now to build trust and develop positive relationships with the horses and other people in their lives.
Equestrian therapy provides people with PTSD with a safe and accepting environment in which to examine their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This may be especially helpful for those who might feel uncomfortable or judged in conventional therapeutic environments.
Through horse therapy, PTSD sufferers can learn coping skills and techniques for managing their symptoms. Working with horses teaches people how to manage their emotions, speak clearly, and develop effective coping mechanisms they can apply to their everyday life.
Offers a unique and alluring experience: People with PTSD can be inspired and motivated by horse therapy, which is a unique and captivating experience. For many people, working with horses can be a satisfying and enjoyable way to develop new abilities and increase their confidence as they take on new tasks and build upon their skills. After all not everyone knows how to handle a horse.
While research on the benefits of equine therapy is still in its infancyearly stages, there is plenty of evidence and experiences to suggest that it can be an effective treatment for PTSD. This also included studies which have found horse therapy effective in helping veterans with PTSD symptoms and enhancing their general wellbeing. Other studies have shown that horse therapy can improve the quality of life for people with a range of mental health conditions by reducing symptoms of anxiety and hopelessness.
Equestrian therapy is obviously not a substitute for traditional psychotherapy, drugs, or other PTSD treatments. Yet, it can complement these approaches well and even provide unique benefits not found in other forms of therapy.
