Research studies have shown that therapeutic horseback riding can lead to a significant statistical decrease in PTSD symptoms, such as insomnia, flashbacks or panic attacks, after just three weeks, while after six weeks, this also becomes classed as a clinically significant decrease. It has been found that there is a 66.7% likelihood for those engaging in horseback riding to have a lower PTSD score at three weeks, and 87.5% likely after six weeks.

How can horse riding help whose with PTSD?

As the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development (JRRD) explains, “As prey animals, horses are hypervigilant until they learn they are not in danger. Unlike with many dogs, who trust unconditionally, horses require humans to work to gain their trust. Because of their own hypervigilance, [those] with PTSD easily understand and can relate to the trust and hypervigilance in a horse.”

“Other symptoms of PTSD are emotional numbness, a feeling of “not being in one’s body”, and a lack of awareness of body language, so [those] with PTSD learn to become more aware of their bodies, their body language, and expression of emotion through their bodies. They must become aware of the body language of the horse, which helps them become aware of others’ body language too.”

These shared behaviours between horses and those with PTSD – from being oversensitive, easily startled, hypervigilant to danger, and so forth – mean healing can come from a common ground that another human may not be able to give, especially not in a medical setting such as the hospital. Margaret ‘Peg’ Steele is about to embark upon a 2,300 mile horseback ride to raise awareness for equine-assisted therapy and notes, “It is impossible for an individual suffering from PTSD to work with a horse since the horse reads all of these emotions in you and will start to emulate them. This causes the client to have to work on their own issues to make progress with the horse. In a sense, the horse works like a mirror.”

Building Relationships

Known as equine therapy, or equine-assisted therapy, horses are able to promote spiritual, physical, psychological and occupational healing in post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers. Non-threatening, trusting and open relationships can be built with these connections breeding further positive feelings of patience, love, respect, safety and empathy. Equine therapy is found to reduce levels of anxiety and stress, improve moods, create a sense of peace and contentment, among other benefits.

Steele explains, “I know that if I am having a bad day; if I am upset, angry or just sad, my horse knows and becomes more difficult to manage that day. I have to work on myself if I intend to handle him safely and effectively.”

Although for some people equine therapy may not be the answer for easing symptoms of PTSD, by combining different strategies, these can all come together to offer huge benefits.