Many of us have seen the meme going around on social media about turning your clocks back from “sunshine and happiness back to misery and despair.” We may chuckle to ourselves in agreement but depression, especially seasonal depression, is very real. If you, a friend, or a loved one is feeling low, we always suggest seeking advice from a medical professional. Additionally, a horse may help to have a role in lifting our spirits. Here are the top 5 ways a horse could help your emotional health:
- Reduce stress and anxiety. Spending time with horses has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Horses are also very good at mirroring our emotions, which can help us to become more aware of and to better manage our own feelings.
- Build confidence and self-esteem. Horses are large and powerful animals, but they are also gentle and trusting. Learning to work with horses can help us to feel more confident in our own abilities and to develop a stronger sense of self-worth.
- Improve communication and relationships. Horses are social animals, and they rely on communication and cooperation to survive. Working with horses can help us to learn how to communicate more effectively and to build stronger relationships with others.
- Increase mindfulness and self-awareness.Horses are very present in the moment, and they can help us to learn how to be more mindful of our own thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Equine therapy can also help us to become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses, and to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult emotions.
- Provide unconditional love and acceptance. Horses are non-judgmental creatures, and they offer unconditional love and acceptance to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. This can be especially beneficial for people who have experienced trauma or who have difficulty forming close relationships.
- A person with anxiety may work with a horse to learn how to stay calm and focused.
- A person with depression may work with a horse to build their self-esteem and confidence.
- A person with PTSD may work with a horse to learn to trust and feel safe again.
- A person with a social anxiety disorder may work with a horse to learn how to communicate and interact with others in a more confident way.
- A person with a physical disability may work with a horse to learn how to move their body in new and different ways.
Therapeutic riding is a type of therapy that uses horses to help people with disabilities improve their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills. It is a form of equine therapy, which is the use of horses to promote healing and well-being. There are also Youth Outreach equine therapy programs for children to provide a supportive environment for at-risk youths. The horses are non-judgmental and accepting, and they can help young people to feel safe and valued.
Equine therapy can be a very effective way to improve emotional health, and it is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. If you are interested in trying equine therapy, there are many qualified professionals who can help you get started.
Note: This content is only for informational purposes, is not medical advice and should not be used in place of an actual doctor's visit.
There are lots of interesting articles in our section on Health & Education.
Note: This content is only for informational purposes, is not medical advice and should not be used in place of an actual doctor's visit.
