5 Remarkable Benefits of Equine Therapy For Anxiety

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Who doesn’t love being around animals? They are cuddle-ready, easy to mingle with, and can instantly alleviate stress. This is due to the fact that being around animals promotes the secretion of oxytocin and dopamine, collectively known to improve mood and help regulate emotions. 

Equine therapy is a type of animal therapy that uses horses to deliver a therapeutic experience to individuals struggling with mental health disorders. These types of mental health treatment options have been in practice for years and are shown to improve conditions, including anxiety disorder, behavioral problems, and depression. It is an excellent option for individuals who are looking for a treatment that focuses on emotional regulation and teaches them a life skill.

Here are some key benefits of equine therapy to explore:

1. Improves perception of self

Horses are huge, powerful, and, at the same time, incredibly emotional. These animals are known to have incredible emotional intelligence, so they bond easily with individuals. Moreover, when one starts to care for horses, they are involved in intense physical activities (cleaning and grooming), instilling a strong sense of work ethic. 

It also gives people a purpose to work with and allows them to take time to master a certain skill. Additionally, horses will only react to the way you treat them, eliminating the fear of judgment or biases as individuals make themselves vulnerable during the sessions. 

2. Immense emotional regulation

Horses are keen observers and capable of reading facial expressions and body language. Moreover, as they are prey creatures, they are more sensitive to changes in their surroundings. They may want to stay away and protect themselves if they sense a threat. 

As a result, it becomes crucial to practice mindfulness and emotionally regulate yourself. While you engage in these practices, you will notice your feelings more closely. This will enable you to accept what has happened and acknowledge the path that awaits you. 

Emotional regulation, when paired with affirmations, can help in changing the narrative you have been telling yourself. The overall change in perception can open pathways to healing deeper parts of you. 

3. Increases empathy

Horses are keen observers who can understand and reflect what you are feeling. They are also sensitive to emotions and any disturbances in their environment. When an individual with raging anger approaches, the horse may likely react with stubbornness and annoyance. 

This reflection of behavior helps a person practice empathy (being able to feel what others are feeling) and improve on their own behavioral patterns by including coping mechanisms in their everyday lives. 

These mechanisms can range from talk therapy to journaling and even meditation. By learning to regulate one’s emotions, individuals can manage stressful situations in real life calmly and comfortably. 

4. Sharpens leadership skills

Horses are always looking for a leader, compelling people to start taking control of their lives. During the process, they are bound to learn how to handle stressful situations, manage vulnerabilities, and communicate effectively. 

These skills will also help one face emotional challenges, acknowledge trauma, and work on improving oneself.

5. Offers change of place

People with mental health disorders often find it challenging to step out and, as a result, are mostly confined in a limited space. Equine therapy offers a change of scene, as it will take place in a farm-like set-up. 

Moreover, as you engage in emotionally regulated conversations with the horses, you become more aware of your emotions, the narrative that goes into your head, and how you react to feedback. 

Additionally, being outdoors enables you to practice what you learn (emotional regulations, self-confidence, and positive self-talk) in a social setting. This will highlight the areas that need more attention and the extent to which you have healed. 

Bottomline

Working with horses can work miracles if you are looking for an alternative therapy option to regular therapy. Horses are emotionally intelligent (more than dogs), capable of reading your facial expressions and body language, eventually mirroring what you are experiencing. Seeing an animal in distress often triggers empathy, encouraging individuals to regulate themselves emotionally, reconsider their behavioral patterns, and rewire self-perception.