Equestrian & Mental Health: Where Horses Help People
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May), we'll be focusing on stress. As said on their website, 'Research has shown that two thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes, and stress is a key factor in this.'
We all know that there are many physical benefits to horseback riding: it exercises your body as a whole, strengthens your abdominal, pelvic, thigh, and back muscles, and it also increases your overall cardiovascular capacity. But did you know horses can actually give you more than that? These are the five reasons why riding is an excellent exercise physically and psychologically.
1. Relieves Stress by Increasing Emotional Strength
When you ride, your brain releases chemicals that gives you euphoric and elevated feelings, which basically enables you to release stress. You know that rhythmic movement you find yourself in when you're having a moment with your horse? Even though there is no perfect explanation, and not everybody can really pin point exactly why -- it makes you feel relaxed and for a second there, you forget about all the reasons why you are feeling stressed and uneasy. Somehow, you just feel better.
Alexa Smith-Osborn, an associate professor who studied equine-assisted therapy in University of Texas at Arlington, noted that 'the mechanism of action hasn't been well established for equine-assisted therapies with relation to non-physiological, non-mobility activities. Nevertheless, on a practical basis, there are some theoretical perspectives.'
2. Building Human to Horse Connection
Horses, as prey animals, are more aware of their environmental surroundings and are also more sensitive towards people's emotional states compared to dogs or any other animals that you can think of are used in therapies.
Professor Sheade went as far to say that horses are 'capable of reading or becoming aware of how [a patient is] feeling' before we even notice. She continued to say that the horses would give feedback to the client -- such as moving towards him/her or away.
I remember one of our coaches in the Lesson Program, Carol, would always tell me to give my horse, Banjo, a 'positive' kick (you know, to wake him up from a trot to a canter). At that time, I didn't really know what that means. But whatever it was, I thought positive, tried to feel bigger, and exerted that sort of confidence you feel when you're happy and, believe it or not, it worked. Banjo would respond more effectively and he would act upon my kicks quicker than before.
Even though it didn't seem clear to me how a normal kick and a 'positive' kick was different, it did reflect improvement. Banjo and I built a connection. In a way, I felt that Banjo reflect back the energy I gave him and, in return, made me more energetic and everything. It was one of my best lessons by far.
3. Overcome your Fears
Suzie H. wrote in her article that facing your fears and building your confidence play vital roles in recovering from mental health issues. Problems like addiction or depression would leave people feeling hurt and vulnerable. Rebuilding self-confidence is one important element of regaining mental health and becoming resilient to future traumas.
Although prey, horses are large and powerful. But this can be just the thing that help people and riders overcome their fears and develop confidence that can be translated into real-life situations. Horses are big and strong, and their strength incite fear in many people if they have no idea that they are in fact gentle giants. Yes, horse-riding is a high-risk sport, and people do get hurt while riding -- but, personally, I have never seen a case where horses hurt others because they want to. And once you do get to know their true, gentle, nature, you won't even realize how quickly you overcame that fear.
4. Control your Concentration
There is a phenomenon that happens naturally when you ride: that all you can think about is you and your horse. This is because when you are sitting on a horse, your mind is set on keeping you safe -- keeping you from falling off and from any danger that might come out of what you are doing with your horse. Your senses heighten without you having to force your mind into it and the skill to do so is a regular exercise for your mind that can help you concentrate when you want to and when you need to.
It is especially useful for these coming weeks because we all need to get revising, including myself. No more procrastinating, no more distractions. Control how you get to concentrating!
5. But most importantly, Riding makes you HAPPY!
Sometimes, or most of the time for my case, that's all that matters right? Just you enjoying your time with a good friend who can understand your feelings, and in their own special ways, respond to it. You build a healthy relationship with your horse, and you stay connected to the outside world. I feel lucky to have experienced this aspect of life that not everybody gets the chance to do. And for that I cherish my moments with the horses I ride, and I hope you do too!
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