While dogs are considered man’s oldest friends, horses have been our faithful companions for years, being an essential part of history and a vital component during wars. Now, while they’re not being used to fight global battles in modern times, horses are a great tool in our fight against aging. Just ask Michelle Gillette, a certified functional medicine health and longevity coach, who took to Instagram to highlight the benefits of spending time with horses.
The Longevity Benefits of Horsing Around
In this article, we will explain:
- What equine therapy is
- And the proven benefits of spending time with horses
What Is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy, or equine-assisted therapy, is a style of therapy that features various treatments whereby people interact with horses, in an effort to treat or manage various mental health and physical conditions.
So, why horses? Well, according to zoologists, horses are quite tuned to humans and their emotions, suggesting that riding, feeding, and grooming these animals can be a great mental health tool.
Michelle Gillette and The Benefits of Horses
“Equine therapy isn’t just about riding—it’s about building a bond of trust & presence. Horses sense our emotions, respond to our energy, and remind us to stay grounded in the moment.” – Michelle Gillette, Instagram
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
According to Gillette, spending time with horses is a great stress reliever, and it helps to lower cortisol levels. Also, as Gillette points out, the rhythmic motion of riding and the effects of being outdoors may also stimulate the release of endorphins, which is beneficial for anxiety levels.
According to a 2022 study, equine therapy was found to be a promising treatment in reducing anxiety and stress among youth with mild-to-moderate anxiety.
2. Stronger emotional resilience
As explained on Gillette’s Instagram, interacting with horses can boost emotional health by fostering a sense of connection and trust,
“Many equine therapy programs use horses to help individuals with PTSD, depression, and other emotional challenges,” says Gillette, “The bond developed with a horse can improve empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.”
For instance, a 2023 review found that, while further research is merited, equine-assisted intervention therapy has been shown to be effective for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Additionally, a past study found that among ‘at risk’ young people, equine therapy worked to reduce the risk of crime, self-harm, and other issues.
3. Improved social communication
For those struggling with behavioral and social communication skills, spending time with horses may help.
A 2018 paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that equine therapy programs considerably improved the social behavior and communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder.
4. Cardiovascular health
Spending time with horses isn’t just great for your mental health, as it’s also an effective cardio workout.
With heart disease being the leading cause of mortality worldwide, it’s important to maintain optimum cardiovascular health, and this can be done through exercise, like horse riding – or even trotting.
5. Stronger core
A weak core can mean poor posture, muscle injuries and lower back pain (which is the leading cause of work absenteeism).
As saddling up forces you to sit up tall and engage your core muscles, going out for a ride can do wonders for your balance and posture.
Want to know more?
Like with horses, spending time with animals can do wonders for your health. Extensive scientific research has been done to prove the efficacy of animal therapy in human beings, and here’s how dogs are used for animal therapy and why it works.
References
@michellegillette_ (2024). Instagram. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBbrIp9PUH2/(Accessed: 04 December 2024).
Burgon, H.L. (2011). ‘Queen of the world’: experiences of ‘at-risk’ young people participating in equine-assisted learning/therapy. Journal of Social Work Practice, 25(02), pp.165–183. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2011.561304.
Chen, S., Zhang, Y., Zhao, M., Du, X., Wang, Y., & Liu, X. (2022). Effects of Therapeutic Horseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14449. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114449
Hoagwood, K., Vincent, A., Acri, M., Morrissey, M., et al. (2022). Reducing Anxiety and Stress among Youth in a CBT-Based Equine-Assisted Adaptive Riding Program. Animals : An Open Access Journal From MDPI, 12(19), 2491. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192491
Jardat, P., Menard–Peroy, Z., Parias, C., Reigner, F., Calandreau, L., & Lansade, L. (2024). Horses can learn to identify joy and sadness against other basic emotions from human facial expressions. Behavioural Processes, 220, 105081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105081 Li, J., & Sánchez-García, R. (2023). Equine-assisted interventions for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1277338. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1277338
