Finding Connection with Therapy Horses

Horses possess a remarkable ability to connect with humans: to comfort, teach and heal. A wide variety of people are helped through equine-assisted activities at centers across North America. Special needs children and adults, veterans recovering from physical and emotional trauma, and abused women and children are just a few examples of those who benefit from spending time with these exceptional equines.

Kate Storjohann is lead instructor at the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program (MGHSE) in Talladega, Ala., where she works with deaf, blind and multi-disabled students. She has witnessed many examples of the healing power of horses, but one story stands out. She was teaching a blind, autistic student who in the three years she had been going to MGHSE, had not spoken to anyone there.

“I was working with her one-on-one about how to groom horses when something wonderful happened,” shares Storjohann. “As we brushed, I started to guide her hand over different parts of the horse and tell her what she was feeling. After a few minutes, she started reaching out on her own. I could tell she was beginning to take an interest, so I repeated the parts of the horse. Then she said, ‘Mane?’ I had never heard her speak before. Since that day, I can ask her to find the ear, eye, nose, mane, tail, and many other parts, and she can show me where they are.”

That student has progressed to using voice commands to her therapy horse when riding as volunteers lead and walk alongside. Storjohann says that students at MGHSE learn much more than horsemanship: they gain confidence and independence, learn teamwork, refine balance and motor skills, develop character, and discover that all things are possible.

Smiling Again

At Therapeutic Riding Incorporated (TRI) in Ann Arbor, Mich., Program Director Jennifer Beyer has seen her share of miracles worked by their horses. The TRI program offers mounted adaptive horsemanship classes, work-from-the-ground wellness sessions, and para-dressage lessons, to name just a few of their activities.

Beyer recalls many examples, but the story of one young man and his bond with TRI’s Quarter Horse gelding, B Smiley, illustrates the restorative abilities of an equine companion.

Liam had been a student at TRI for several years when ongoing neurological issues caused him to be hospitalized for weeks at a time, diminishing his strength and balance.

“With every hospital stay, Liam looked forward to time at TRI,” recalls Beyer. “Coming to the barn to see ‘his’ horse, B Smiley, became his motivation to get better and stick with physical therapy. Smiley has impeccable ground manners and loves attention. When the doctors gave him the ‘all clear,’ Liam wasn’t strong enough to ride, but he came to every lesson to groom and walk Smiley. Fast forward a year, and Liam is now strong enough to ride and has made great strides with improved balance. He and Smiley are still a team, both in and out of the saddle.”

Meet the Experts Jennifer Beyer is the Program Director for Therapeutic Riding Incorporated (TRI) in Ann Arbor, Mich., where she has been on staff since 2010. She is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI); a bronze-level United States Equestrian Federation Para -Dressage Coach, and a Level 3 Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (CHA-IRD). Kate Storjohann has been the Lead Program Instructor at the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program in Talladega, Ala., since 2015. She first volunteered there as a high school senior, then was hired as an assistant instructor. She is a PATH Intl. CTRI, a PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and a CHA-IRD.

What It Takes to Be a Therapy Horse

Beyer and Storjohann explain that their program horses come from various walks of life, but most often they hail from show, lesson barn and trail riding backgrounds. Both emphasize that to be considered, a horse needs to be sound and in current work because the job is both mentally and physically challenging. These equines work with a variety of students on any given day, and their gaits need to be even, their minds calm and willing, and their bodies able to hold up to the work.

Beyer says that there is a misconception that adaptive riding horses simply give glorified pony rides.

“This is not a cushy retirement opportunity, but a rewarding assignment for sturdy, patient and well-loved horses,” she says. “Above all else, we seek horses that have friendly, people-pleasing personalities.”

A great therapy horse is sound at the walk, trot and canter, and the quality of the horse’s movement is what benefits the participants the most, according to Storjohann.

“We utilize a wide range of input [from the] movement from our horses,” she says. “With some of our students, it is preferred that the horse have a low amount of movement as they learn to ride and acquire a proper seat. In other cases, more exaggerated movement is needed to stimulate a rider and meet their sensory needs.”

Other qualities that Beyer and Storjohann look for in ideal horses for their therapy programs:

◆ Trained, adult horses (ages 5-18 for TRI and 8-20 for MGHSE)

◆ Height range between 14-16 hands, with some exceptions

◆ Healthy, sound, a negative Coggins test, and up to date on vaccinations, deworming, dental and farrier care

◆ Rhythmic gaits; able to smoothly transition from one gait to another

◆ Comfortable being handled and ridden by a wide variety of people

◆ Good ground manners; leads, ties and stands well

◆ Stands quietly for mounting and dismounting

◆ Respects human leader’s personal space, and tolerant of multiple sidewalkers

◆ Accepting of beginner riders; tolerant and even-tempered so a student riding may be safely led around an arena

◆ Obedient to both voice and leg aids

◆ Accepting of assistive devices and equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, et cetera)

◆ Able to calmly deal with new sights, sudden sounds, and unexpected/uneven movement by the rider

◆ Must display “therapy heart” and show enjoyment in their work.

Other selection criteria may vary from program to program. For example, TRI uses some gaited horses with good results, whereas MGHSE does not accept gaited horses.

They both advise that horses with dangerous habits (i.e. bucking, kicking, biting, rearing, bolting, spooking) or horses that stumble regularly are not well-suited to this job.

It’s important to note that the qualities that make a great therapeutic riding horse may differ from a winning para-equestrian competition horse. To win nationally and internationally in para-dressage, for example, may require bigger, flashier gaits and more contact.

Donation & Training

Both MGHSE and TRI accept donated horses, and also purchase a few horses, but ask for a trial period in each case. Visit their websites for more information.

“Donating a horse to a therapeutic or adaptive riding program will change the lives of people with disabilities,” says Beyer.

Program horses go through training and desensitization exercises once they arrive, as well as refresher courses as needed. They are regularly conditioned and also get “vacation time” to decompress.

English actress Pam Brown said, “Horses lend us the wings we lack.” Talking about her students, Storjohann puts this in perspective.

“They are no longer restricted by their disabilities,” she says. “There is a freedom that can only be experienced on the back of a horse. Our students understand it best.”

This article about therapy horses appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Therapy Horses: Equine Miracle Workers appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“That day combined three things that I enjoy: horses, painting and spending time with my mom,” McKeever recalls.

When they finished decorating Rosie, McKeever saddled up and D’Aniello snapped a photo to document the moment. The picture became a tangible example of something horses bring to McKeever’s life: the ability to live in the present.

Law and Horses

McKeever’s love of horses began at a young age. Inspired by her mom’s love for the animals, she spent her childhood days playing with plastic horses, watching western films and poring over horse-themed books. As she grew up, D’Aniello and McKeever enjoyed guided trail rides together.

“I have always loved horses ever since I can remember,” McKeever says.

Just like her love for horses, McKeever’s interest in the law started early on. D’Aniello recalls her daughter boldly declaring her intent to pursue a career in law at just 8 years old.

“Who was I to discourage that?” D’Aniello says.

Many years later, McKeever completed her undergraduate education and prepared to start law school at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in her hometown of Tucson, Ariz.

Close to that time, D’Aniello was taking riding lessons. She’d purchased a package of lessons but found that due to time constraints, she wasn’t able to finish them. D’Aniello offered the remaining sessions to McKeever, who accepted. That decision led McKeever to something that would help her navigate the next four years of her life: Rosie.

D’Aniello remembers being concerned about the expense a horse would pose to McKeever, but also being supportive of her daughter pursuing a healthy outlet. Regardless of her feelings, D’Aniello saw her daughter was determined to purchase Rosie.

“When Leah makes up her mind, Leah makes up her mind,” she says. “You can’t talk her out of anything.”

McKeever knew keeping Rosie in her life during law school would pose financial challenges, but she couldn’t see herself moving forward any other way. She worked out a plan using her savings to budget for Rosie during school.

“If I have something that I love and something that I’m passionate about, I don’t think of excuses or having to get rid of anything,” McKeever explains. “I try and think of how I’m going to make it work.”

Finding the Present

McKeever remembers every minute of her time being claimed during law school. She constantly felt guilty if she wasn’t reading or studying.

“You always have this pressure on you to get a bunch of readings done,” McKeever recalls. “Sometimes the amount of readings are just not plausible to get through.”

To escape school stress, McKeever turned to two of her passions: working out and riding Rosie. The first helped her stay physically healthy but didn’t keep her mind from thoughts of schoolwork. The latter, however, completely captured her attention.

“Going and spending time with Rosie was the only time that I didn’t think about school,” McKeever says.

Riding Rosie forced McKeever’s brain to remain in the present. If her attention drifted, Rosie brought her back to the current moment. The horse would break gait or even shy at an object if she felt McKeever wasn’t focused on her.

“I maintained a good mental health in law school, and I attribute that to having my horse,” says McKeever. (See “Mental Health Benefits of Horses,” below.)

McKeever worked with Rosie four to five times a week throughout law school. In 2017, she successfully graduated from her program.

No Regrets

Several years have passed since McKeever’s time in law school, but the Fourth of July she spent with Rosie and her mother remains seared in her memory.

D’Aniello witnessed how horses impact McKeever first hand, and doesn’t see her daughter ever giving them up.

“For Leah, Rosie is her great escape, and therefore her happy place,” says D’Aniello.

Now a practicing lawyer, McKeever spends her days in the courtroom, seeking justice for the people she represents. Beyond a reasonable doubt, she believes it’s Rosie that helped her get there.

“She helped me through many tough things, law school being one of them, and I’m eternally grateful to her for that,” she says.

If given the chance to do law school again, McKeever wouldn’t hesitate to bring Rosie along for the ride.

“That’s one decision in my life that I’ll never regret.”

This article about Leah McKeever appeared in the September 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post How Horses Helped a Law Student appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“I always thought people who owned Minis were maniacs,” she laughs. “Until I got Tony. I take it all back. They are wonderful.”

Originally named Smoky, Parsons renamed him after her father’s friend who had recently passed away.

“He was a second father to me,” she shares. “My friend Mo Kelly added the ‘Smalls’ to it.”

Her friend also owns Tony’s daughter, Sugar Smalls. She was the product of an accidental breeding before Tony was gelded by the breeder, and has dwarfism.

A Knack for Tricks

Parsons, who also rides a Dales Pony named Bucky, decided to try clicker training when she got Tony.

“My husband is a dog trainer, so he does a lot of clicker training,” she says. “So I said, ‘Let’s give it a go with Tony and see how he does with it.’ And he just was amazing. He will do anything you ask if you’ve got a treat.” He gets mostly timothy pellets for treats, though she says his favorite rewards are Jolly Ranchers.

Parsons used George Bruce’s Click with Horses program and learned with Tony as they went. It was clear from the beginning that the 30-inch-tall gelding had a real knack for tricks.

They started with the basic tricks: target, fetch, spin around, stop and wait (which she says is the hardest for Tony because it’s so boring), and then moved on to more advanced tricks, including rear, lay down, Spanish walk, slow down and speed up, standing on a pedestal, and jumping.

But these are regular horse tricks that many horses are trained to do. What makes Tony Smalls so special are his more advanced tricks.

“He takes money off people,” says Parsons. “He takes laundry off the line and puts in a basket. We take him ‘shopping,’ where he pulls bags of Swedish Fish off [the shelf] and puts them in a kid’s shopping cart.” When inside the house, Tony often offers to bring you a cushion. “It was something he just did on this own,” she laughs.

Artistic Talent

Tony Smalls also plays the keyboard, but his real specialty is painting. In December 2019, Annie’s friend Danielle saw a video of another horse painting and told Parsons, “Tony Smalls needs to do this!”

While there are other horses that paint, Tony’s version of the trick is very complicated.

“Most horses that paint, the owner just hands them a brush and they move it around the canvas,” explains Parsons. “With Tony, we wanted him to do as much as possible. So, we give him several colors of paint in cups and each cup has a brush. He picks up the brush he wants, paints with it, spits it out and grabs another one in another color. My only job is to make sure there is no paint on the handle, because he doesn’t like the taste, and to pick up the brushes and put them back in the cups.”

Raising Money for a Cause

This incredible talent has helped Tony Smalls raise money for Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center on Martha’s Vineyard. The nonprofit is a PATH Intl. Accredited therapeutic riding center. Their mission is to offer an environment where horses and humans work together to transform lives. Misty Meadows offers many programs, including youth and adult horsemanship programs and therapeutic horsemanship for veterans and those with disabilities.

“They are brilliant—they do so much for the community,” says Parsons, who teaches mounted archery at the center.

During the worst of the Covid pandemic, Tony had a lot of time to paint, so Parsons decided to start selling his artwork to benefit Misty Meadows, as well as other charitable organizations.

“I have people contact me asking for paintings for auctions, and we always send one or two,” she says.

Tony is probably the only horse that has ever had his work in a real art gallery. There happens to be a gallery by Misty Meadows. The owner allowed Parsons to do a proper art show, filling the gallery with Tony’s pieces, which raised $5,000 for Misty Meadows.

“Tony Smalls has had paintings hung in the same gallery as Thomas Hart Benton, one of my favorite artists,” says Parsons. “It blows me away.”

Therapy Visits

When Tony Smalls isn’t learning tricks or raising money for charity, he is visiting hospitals and senior centers as a certified therapy horse.

“We had a donkey that we did therapy visits with, but we stopped because he just didn’t like it,” says Parsons. “When Tony came along, we decided to try again. Up until the pandemic we used to go every other week.”

Parsons is certified through Pet Partners, but their tests and program is geared toward dogs, so she looked for something that was for horses. She found the Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association. Through them, Tony did a series of assessments, including video calls during visits, so they could watch him work. They required a long checklist of everything he can do, which he passed.

Parsons says that Tony Smalls seems to understand and enjoy his job.

“He’s a funny one because when we’re out and about doing stuff, me and him, he’s very feisty and has got a lot of energy,” she says. “He can out-run all my horses, and he’s got a lot of character. But when I take him to the hospital, he’s perfect. He’ll stand quietly next to a wheelchair—he knows his job.”

They spent a lot of time clicker training Tony to stand quietly with a relaxed head. Parsons says even if someone accidentally pats him a bit too hard, he won’t react. Of course, she intervenes if someone is getting too rough, but Tony is patient with those he visits.

“I can personally attest to the healing power and joy that this compassionate duo brings to others,” writes one woman in a letter. “I have a rare autoimmune neurological disease and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. When Annie learned that I would be on Cape Cod for a respite from chemotherapy, she contacted my daughter and arranged a surprise visit. The joy I received from their visit still brings tears to my eyes.”

That visit was a special one for Parsons, too, as they had to sneak Tony Smalls into a hotel room!

Having Patience

Tony also is involved in Parsons’ archery demonstrations, and is now learning ground driving to do skijoring, if he enjoys it.

If you’re ready to try your hand at tricks, Parsons has one piece of advice.

“Patience. Go slow. If you go too fast, your horse will get frustrated. So many times, horses are labeled as bad or naughty, but it’s because they are confused, usually because of lack of clear communication from the human, which can be frustrating for them and us. So be patient.”

You can follow Tony Smalls on Facebook or purchase his artwork through Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center website.

This article about Tony Smalls appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Magnificent Mini Horse Tony Smalls appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Having several therapists over a 15-year period brought me immense healing from a childhood filled with trauma, but I still felt stuck. I tried energy healing in England and a shaman in Mexico. Nothing seemed to give me the peace I longed for. It felt like trauma was literally trapped in my body, in my cells and nervous system.

Equine Guidance

At the time, I wasn’t familiar with the intersection between equine therapy and body-centric healing. I just knew I needed a release from the lingering emotional pain. After months of reading extensively online, I found a therapist with a herd of horses that I felt drawn to: Belle Shook and her horses of Equine Guidance.

I’ve spent time with horses on and off throughout my life, and they’ve fostered a deep emotional connection on my end. I was the young girl who played horse owner by opening pretend paddock gates and filling up real water buckets for my imaginary herd. Every few years an opportunity would come up for me to be in their presence. Horses give me immense joy as much as they offer peace.

In contemplating my upcoming session with Belle and the herd, I anticipated this peaceful feeling, but I also felt unease. I dug into the literature confirming what I felt; horses have an effect on our bodies that is measurable by science. I feared what they might sense deep within me. What if the horses discovered that I was irrevocably messed up? What if they rejected me?

Meeting the Herd

Putting every one of my fears down in my journal, I took a deep breath and drove the seven hours from Los Angeles, Calif., to Verde Valley, Ariz. Belle met me at her property on a warm morning in September. The surrounding Verde Valley, stretching toward Sedona, was the foreground to the stunning Red Rocks range in the distance.

Equine Guidance is Belle and a herd of three American Bashkir Curly horses: Salsa, Penny and Mimi. They are as beautiful as they are cute; intense as they are innocent.

All three casually looked up when Belle and I settled ourselves into camping chairs in the middle of their open-air stable for the first part of my session. The horses comfortably moved around us while Belle and I talked, licking salt or nimbly plucking leftover breakfast hay from crevices.

I felt welcomed as much as I felt insignificant. Both concepts would have an equal place in my experience, as I would come to understand.

Admittedly, I became emotional very quickly. It was overwhelming to have Belle and the horses hold such an incredibly safe space for me. Belle’s voice is incredibly calming.

I mentioned perhaps she should take to YouTube with meditation recordings. I think she’d have a million followers in no time, but Belle’s only mission is to bring more people within the healing capabilities of her herd. Her eyes still sparkle in awe of the horses, even after 14 years of witnessing and experiencing their connecting and healing powers.

As a clinical therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, Belle’s engagement with my feelings and thoughts was not only professional, but invoked my own intense curiosity into a deeper part of myself. My sharing flowed easily as realizations continually arose within me. Belle wasn’t arbitrarily guiding or leading in any direction, yet our talk therapy was already beginning to regulate my nervous system in a palpable way.

Awakening Grief

When it was time to meet the herd, I followed Belle’s instructions and chose a wall in one of the stalls to lean against. I waited. The horses were free to do as they wanted, so I wondered if they would voluntarily come to me.

First, Salsa came into the stall. He stood to my left facing me, his head very close to the left side of my chest. A strong sense of support emanated from him. Penny came to me next and began breathing rhythmically between the right side of my chest and my stomach.

Then Mimi entered. She gently touched my side with her nose. I began to cry, and Belle gently checked in with me. Mimi held her nose there for quite a long time as I settled into unfamiliar sensations.

This incredible horse was bringing intense grief to the surface in waves. It felt as if I was feeling the grief of my female ancestors mixed in with my own grief. Salsa held us all in comfort and strength until he eventually turned away first. Then Mimi turned and left the stall, followed by Penny. It was the very moment that I, too, felt ready to finish.

Each Horse’s Gift

After my time with the herd, Belle suggested I sit and write what I had experienced from each horse individually. I wrote vigorously, as the experience was so intense and tangible.

It wasn’t until later that evening, reading through the packet that Belle had given me upon my arrival, that the full impact of what had occurred sunk in. I read Belle’s description of each member of the herd and sat back in disbelief.

Mimi had given me an awakening of my grief so deep that it preceded my own birth. I stared down at Belle’s words that spoke of Mimi having the “steadiness ready to face a hurricane of grief.” I looked back and forth between my writing and Belle’s description. She continues about Mimi. “She has the stamina to face any heartache with incredible courage.”

Penny had awakened my breath. It felt as if she wanted me to stay present and convince me that I was ready for this healing. I wrote that Penny instilled trust in my own intuition and instincts. I read Penny’s description: “Her breath sometimes sounds like a calming purr as she empowers others to be present with their intuition and more profound knowing.”

From Salsa, I received the wise message that I was part of the whole. For the first time in my life, I felt permission in desiring to be part of the whole. As Salsa stood by my side, I had the sense that our galaxy was made up of parts of a whole and that earth was the womb. I wrote all of this down along with the words, “Salsa gave me cosmic ideas.” Belle’s printed words describing Salsa’s work blurred with my tears: “Salsa has a shamanic quality to him where he can see through the worlds, helping the conscious mind experience the compelling depth and create meaningful insight.”

Feeling Grounded

For me, a wounded human and stubborn skeptic, it was as if linear time ceased to have meaning in my life for that precious hour. I felt grounded for the first time in my life. I felt calm.

I carry this feeling with me even now. The healing I received from this herd of natural healers has sustained. This was not an experience that would weaken its healing properties over time. I continue to invoke this graciously gifted calm into my very cells.

Tears still occasionally flow, and I think back to the safe space that Belle and the horses provided. Where crying felt neither self-conscious nor awkward. Belle, Salsa, Mimi and Penny had given me the most healing space that I have ever received therapeutically.

I felt for the first time in my life that everything is just as it is, which is to say perfectly OK—nothing to blunder through or to make complicated. It’s a healing like no other.

Learn more about Equine Guidance at equineguidance.com.

This article about Equine Guidance appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Equine Guidance: The Horse as Healer appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Tom Mannigel didn’t know much about horses until his wife, Diane, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to an equine-assisted therapy program offered at a nearby PATH-certified facility (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International), he now knows first-hand that horses can be valuable collaborators when it comes to meeting stress and depression head on, as well as improving the pair’s relationship.

“I’m not really a horse person,” says Mannigel. “I grew up in rural California where everyone had horses, but every time I’d get on ‘em, it was basically a disaster. However, after we took part in the program, things started to get better in our relationship.”

Innovative Programs

The Mannigels took part in the Kids and Horses PATH program in Minden, Nev.

PATH-certified facilities, instructors and other professionals use equine-assisted therapies geared toward individuals who have special needs. Recently, programming at some PATH-certified facilities has diversified to include equine-assisted therapies for veterans and others coping with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Kids and Horses is just one of the PATH- sanctioned facilities that uses a program developed by Connected Horse to help individuals and their caregivers navigate the physical flood of emotions connected to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

“I was intrigued,” says Cat O’Brien, Kids and Horses program director and a PATH-certified instructor. “I live in a community of retirees, and I believed it would be an asset to our facility.”

According to Connected Horse co-founder Paula Hertel, MSW, combining the two programs has turned out to be a perfect fit.

“There is a mission alignment with many PATH barns and Connected Horse: We believe the horse/human connection provides benefits to both horse and participant,” says Hertel. “We are advocating that Connected Horse is ideal for people with dementia because it doesn’t require traditional verbal communication.”

According to Hertel, the Connected Horse program focuses on mindfulness, emotional and sensory triggers, and understanding. Horses used in the program allow the person diagnosed with dementia and their caregiver all communicate on the same level.

“The horse is really the teacher,” she says.

Benefits for Caregivers

The horses had a profound impact on caregivers as well, as Hertel and co-founder Nancy Schier Anzelmo discovered in their program-connected research.

“Care partners often experience feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, depressed and frustrated with the situation in which they find themselves,” Schier Anzelmo explains. “The Connected Horse program helps the care partner and the person who has been diagnosed with the grief and depression that comes after an initial diagnosis.”

In fact, those were exactly the emotions that swept over Leticia Metherell when her mother Maria Murguido was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2017.

“I don’t know if you would call it depression, but there was a deep concern of losing my mother and the impacts this [diagnosis] would have on my family,” recalls Metherell. Along with her mother, she took part in the Connected Horse program offered by Kids and Horses in June and July of 2022. “Also, perhaps a selfish part of me thought about my risks of getting Alzheimer’s and what impact her diagnosis would have on my life.”

In order to cope with her own feelings and those her parents were experiencing, Metherell scoured the internet for something that would provide meaningful activities for the pair. She came upon the Kids and Horses program during one of those searches.

“I was skeptical when I first attended the sessions because I didn’t think they were going to make a long-term impact,” she says. “I don’t think I really had a true understanding until I attended the program and experienced it for myself.”

But she discovered that the horses taught the humans important things about communication and connection.

“There definitely is a form of communication happening between people and horses [that is] influenced by our own moods, body posture, attentiveness, and tone of voice,” says Metherell. “The horses also communicate with us via their responses, whether they come to you, walk by your side of their own accord, or allow you to groom them. This is such an important lesson, because as the ability of my mother to communicate reduces as her disease progresses, these lessons help me understand that there will always be a connection there, and that a verbal interaction is not always necessary for it to be a deep and meaningful interaction.”

Physical Benefits for Patients

The PATH/Connected Horse synergy has physical benefits, too, says Tineke Jacobson, a physical therapist, PATH-registered therapist and hippotherapy clinical specialist at the Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center in Orinda, Calif.

Jacobson found the Connected Horse program in 2018 while searching for a program that was using horses to assist in the treatment of dementia.

“There was a growing interest in serving adults in our community when it became apparent that horses have exceptional talents with unmounted activities,” she explains.

The Connected Horse program was a good fit for Xenophon, which already offered equine-assisted physical and occupational programs for children and adults.

Jacobson credits working with horses not only with an ability to emotionally lift people out of a depressed state, but she says that the physical benefits of the interactions between humans and horses are just as profound.

She remembers one person who took part in the Connected Horse program at Xenophon.

“His gait was characterized by slumped-over posture, looking at the ground, short stride length—all signs of decline due to aging, depression and maybe also dementia,” Jacobson recalls. “When he was given the lead rope to walk with the horse, the horse did not respond to his cues of a verbal ‘walk on.’ Only when he straightened up, looked ahead, and made a large, decisive stride after a deep inhale to expressively say ‘walk on,’ did the horse respond and walk with him wherever he wanted to go.”

The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy

Whether its impact is physical or emotional, Metherell says that she will never forget what she learned from the horses at a very difficult time in her life and in the lives of her mother, father and other members of their family.

“Working with horses has helped bring me an emotional awareness, which helps deal with stress and feelings of sadness,” says Metherell. “[This helps me] better understand nonverbal communication and find gratitude in my life. It’s also a shared experience that [my mother and I] can both fall back on when times are hard, and reminds us each day of all the things we have to be grateful for.”

Mannigel agrees.

“I really can’t explain it, but [my relationship with my wife] has changed,” he says. “I don’t know if she’s less anxious because I’m less stressed or if I have less stress because she’s less anxious. All I know is that since we [worked] with the horses, our relationship is better.”

This article about equine-assisted therapy helping Alzheimer’s disease patients appeared in the November/December 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post How Equine-Assisted Therapy Can Help Alzheimer’s Disease appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

On August 8, the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century raced across Maui. The flames, stoked by powerful winds from Hurricane Dora and a high-pressure system north of the island, reduced much of the historic town of Lahaina to ash. Though little could have been done by first responders to stop the flames as they raced east, the heartache and despair felt by Lahaina citizens is real — and one woman, her team, and 14 horses are dedicated to helping them heal.

Paige Deponte, founder of Spirit Horse Ranch, is no stranger to trauma — it’s been the driving force behind the creation of her nonprofit that focuses on helping adolescent and teen victims of abuse address their trauma in a holistic manner, integrating both emotional and psychological aspects of healing.

It became strikingly evident that more than just children needed help after the Maui wildfires.

“There are more than 7,000 people in hotels and interim housing,” Deponte says. “And there has been an increase to more than 500 domestic abuse calls each month since the fires.”

The magnitude of recent events and the depth of people’s distress is manifesting itself in a myriad of negative ways. Knowing that they could help, Paige threw open her barn doors to anyone who had been affected by the fires — children or not.

“What happened in Lahaina wasn’t just the loss of people,” Deponte says. “But the loss of [people’s] entire lives. Their businesses were in Lahaina, their friends and their community… that’s all gone.

All wildfire survivors are grappling with their losses. Some are navigating the system and hoping to rebuild their lives in Lahaina; others feel the overwhelming reality of the arduous rebuilding process. With environmental challenges and cost increases, some Lahaina residents may feel pushed out.

The people involved in the fire are trying to process so many emotions, Deponte says.

“They’re experiencing things like pain, loss, grief and overwhelm; they’re feeling scattered, and confused,” Deponte says.”They feel rage and a loss of identity… the list goes on. I had people come to me who said, ‘I saw things in Lahaina that I don’t want to tell a single soul.'”

The ability to give voice to traumatic experiences is incredibly important to the healing process — it’s the first step in manifestation or forward motion. “They tell the horse what they want… what they really need in their life right now. Once you talk about it out loud, you can manifest it. It’s incredibly powerful for the mind,” Deponte says. “I knew that the horses could hear them. The horses would lift that burden.”

Spirit Horse Ranch uses Trauma Informed Equine Assisted Service, which focuses on partnering with horses to provide a healing environment. What Deponte has found, however, is that many fire survivors simply need a place to grieve. “Some [people] just lay on the horses and they cry. The horse holds space for them,” Deponte says.

Those at Spirit Horse Ranch encourage not just those who lived through the fires to come and heal, but also anyone who was affected emotionally, especially those first responders who were on the front lines trying to save people and structures.

Meeting people where they are is one of the core tenets of equine assisted therapy. “We say ‘Where are you right now?’” Deponte says. “Your response or reaction to trauma today is what we work with.” Many of those who lived in Lahaina had beautiful lives they loved, explains Deponte, and now that’s just gone. “Their mind struggles to handle it.”

Paige — and her 14 four-legged team members — is helping heal all Maui residents affected by the deadly Maui wildfires and showing them that life can be beautiful again.

Click here to learn how you can help Spirit Horse Ranch in their efforts.

This article about Spirit Horse Ranch’s efforts to help those affected by the Maui wildfires is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 10, hosts Susan Friedland and Raquel Lynn chat with Lauren Reischer, equestrian coach at Special Olympics New York. Next, they catch up with Victoria Nodiff-Netanel, the founder of Mini Therapy Horses. Finally, they take a closer look at Charlie Brown, August’s Adoptable Horse of the Month.

Click to listen on mobile.

Listen to Barn Banter episode 10 now to meet Lauren and Victoria. Plus, hear about our ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse of the month, Charlie Brown, from the ASPCA Equine Transition & Adoption Center in Oklahoma.

Title Sponsor: Straight Arrow Family of Brands

Lauren Reischer

Lauren Reischer, 24, was born with cerebral palsy and started therapeutic riding at age 3 by the recommendation of her surgeon after a reconstructive hip surgery. After “graduating” from therapeutic riding, she took to riding recreationally and competitively with hunter/jumper barns on Long Island, Ny. In 2021, she graduated from Brown University, where she co-captained their NCAA Equestrian Team and earned her bachelor’s degree in education and public policy.

Following her graduation, Lauren worked as Director of Development at Special Olympics New York (SONY), where she raised money to help create the Summer Show Series. This program gives the equestrian athletes of SONY the opportunity compete alongside the larger hunter/jumper community at ‘A’ shows in their own signature equitation division. Although she now works in public relations at the American Thoracic Society, she still spearheads the SONY equestrian program and turned professional in September 2022 to continue growing this program and cultivating the next class of riders with disabilities.

◆ Lauren’s Instagram (@laurenreischer)
◆ Lauren’s Facebook

Victoria Nodiff-Netanel, founder of Mini Therapy Horses

From pretending to be a horse as a kid in Wisconsin and painting realistic horses after graduating from the California Institute of the Arts to competing in dressage at the Intermediate levels, Victoria Nodiff-Netanel has always known the magic of horses. After many years of competing in dressage, Victoria shifted gears when she acquired Quicksilver’s Black Pearl, a Miniature Horse. While “Pearl” was initially purchased as a pet, Victoria’s horsemanship skills helped the two of them form an incredible partnership. In 2008, armed with a passionate love for not only horses but also helping others, Victoria began conducting equine-assisted therapy visits at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center with her teammate, Pearl. That same year, Victoria officially established Mini Therapy Horses.

Since its start 15 years ago, Mini Therapy Horses has grown immensely. Now with a team of ten Miniature Horse mares, Victoria has expanded her program to many more local health centers such as Shriners Children’s Southern California, UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica as part of the UCLA People-Animal Connection, UCLA Stuart House, the L.A. Ronald McDonald House, and the L.A. Department of Children and Family Services. Additionally, Victoria and her Minis are members of the L.A. Mayor’s Crisis Response Team and the L.A. Sheriff’s Youth Foundation. They also visit many local schools, senior living facilities, rehabilitation centers, community events and more.

◆ Official Mini Therapy Horses website
◆ Mini Therapy Horses’ Instagram (@minitherapyhorses)
◆ Mini Therapy Horses’ Facebook (@minitherapyhorses)

Featured Adoptable Horse

On this episode of Barn Banter, Tom Persechino from the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center in Oklahoma tells us about this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse of the month, Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown is celebrated as the 500th horse the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center has positively impacted since its inception in 2019!

At 32 inches high, this Mini Horse comes with a massive personality and stellar rock-star looks. He is 10 years old and full of spunk, but also ready to nuzzle at a moment’s notice. Charlie Brown is healthy but is on a daily dose of Prascend to treat Cushing’s. Through no fault of his, his owner had to relinquish him when life circumstances changed.

Learn more about Charlie Brown here.

Title Sponsor of Barn Banter

We want to thank our Title Sponsor, the Straight Arrow Family of Brands, makers of Mane ‘n Tail, Cowboy Magic & Exhibitor’s, with over 100 years of grooming excellence. For more information about your favorite products, visit straightarrowinc.com and find Straight Arrow Products at a tack shop near you!

In addition to Barn Banter episode 10, you check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 10 from title sponsor Straight Arrow Products appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The horses of Angel Reins are bringing hope and healing to victims of human trafficking.

When we think of therapeutic work with horses, traditional programs for people with physical challenges are what usually come to mind. But in recent years, equine therapy has been expanding to include those with mental health challenges, including survivors of one of the worst traumas a person can face: human trafficking.

Also Read: The Best Therapy

Hope Through Horses at Angel Reins

Angel Reins Stable, located on 40 acres in St. Augusta, Minn., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing a place of hope and healing for victims of human trafficking with the help of a gentle herd of rescue horses.

These women have suffered not only physical trauma, but also mental abuse. For some, they are not ready for traditional talk therapy, and being able to just be with horses can start to heal and unlock their hearts.

“We find that rescue horses are good for this kind of therapy because they, too, have been through trauma and are able to mirror the women’s emotions,” said Kathy Zachmann, the program’s founder and director.

“In all honesty, sometimes they just like to get the country air, to breathe, to brush their horse, [and] to talk and cry to their horse, and that’s OK,” says Zachmann.

Being at Angel Reins gives the women the chance to forget about the past and their pain and just be with the horses. The women feel safe because the horses are honest and don’t ask or expect anything in return.

In the words of one of the program’s participants, “When I’m out here, I feel like I’m 12 years old and I don’t have any worries in the world.”

This article about Angel Reins appeared in the June 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Angel Reins: Where Horses Bring Hope to Human Trafficking Victims appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

A True Cowgirl

I have a condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. I can’t stand up without braces, and I use a walker and wheelchair. My disability not only affects my daily life, but my future and goals.

I’m limited on what I can do with horses. I can’t just hop up on a horse like anyone else. When looking at me, people might think that I can easily get hurt around a horse. I’ve never seen it that way, though; I’ve always seen myself like any other horse-crazy girl. I wanted to know everything about horses, and I hoped to be a true cowgirl or horsewoman. It just took a while for me to feel that way.

A favorite equine haven of mine is the Kentucky Horse Park. I’m sure my family got tired of seeing the same horses and activities every year when I’d ask to go for my birthday, but I loved it. I would go on the pony ride every time and loved seeing the many different horse breeds.

As I grew into my teenage years, I wanted to ride horses more than anything. My parents agreed to let me ride at a therapeutic riding center known as the REATH Center (Riding Enhanced Around Therapeutic Horses) in Campbellsville, Ky. I rode once a week every week, weather permitting.

I would savor and soak up every moment at the riding center. I learned a lot about riding and caring for a horse while spending time there. I grasped that even with my disability, it was still possible to ride like anyone else.

Deep down, I still desired my big dream: having a horse of my own. I knew that day would come in the distant future when I became an adult. However, it ended up coming a lot sooner than I expected.

A Dream Realized

When I was 15 years old, a Tennessee Walking Horse named Glory changed my life. While on the search for a horse, I discovered a herd of nine horses not far from where I live. Some were untouched, and others loved attention and treats.

Those horses taught me so much throughout the time I spent with them. I developed relationships with them. I even bonded with Harley, the horse that wouldn’t come anywhere near you. To that herd of horses, I will forever be grateful that I met them and bonded with them.

I rode Glory at that farm for a few years before bringing her to my home. Before that happened, I’ll never forget my dad asking me if I would ever grow out of my love for riding. I assured him I wouldn’t.

Some young girls have a phase of loving horses, but I never grew out of that phase. Now, at 20 years old, I enjoy living my childhood dream every day by taking part in Glory’s life and daily care.

Owning and riding a horse isn’t just a hobby or sport for me. Being a rider is who I am. I wake up every day and wheel myself out to the barn because I love it. It’s my motivation and inspiration. I’m so thankful I get to live my dream every day, even if it’s just going out to the barn to do chores.

I know I’m going to experience more with horses, so the journey has just begun!

This article about Jewell Cox’s horse journey appeared in the April 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Journey Horses Can Take Us On appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed nearly everything about life as we know it: How we worked, how we shopped, how we interacted with others and, for many, how we prioritized what was important. Though most of us are still finding our way back to “normal,” there are some things that have shifted permanently.

The equine industry wasn’t immune to these pandemic-induced fluctuations, and things changed in ways no one could have predicted: lesson programs are booming, adoption organizations can’t keep horses in stalls, and the market for a quality horse (or even not-so-quality!) is through the roof.

The Farm Labor Shortage

And yet, even with all these positives, the industry is still on the edge of a crisis. Farm and barn owners throughout the country can’t find enough staff to keep their operations running smoothly, no matter what they offer in the form of pay or incentives.

Post-COVID, a combination of factors has contributed to the labor shortage in the equine economy (and most other agricultural industries). These include older employees opting to retire rather than go back to work; the return of many immigrant workers to their home countries; the reluctance of young people to enter any equine- or ag-related field; and people realizing that they don’t want the always-on lifestyle many equine jobs require.

Unlike businesses that handle non-living commodities, the lack of labor could have a direct effect on horse health and welfare. Farm employees can’t simply check on the horses and their water buckets via Zoom; a domesticated horse’s very survival is dependent on humans to show up and care for him.

This workforce crisis has forced the equine industry to expand their search for workers. One farm in the heart of horse country is using a unique method to staff their farm and barns—and changing lives in the process.

A Family Affair

Family owned and operated since 1976, Taylor Made has grown from a small boarding farm to a powerhouse in the Thoroughbred industry, selling more Thoroughbreds at public auction than any other sales agency in the world.

Overseen by brothers Duncan, Ben, Mark and Frank Taylor, the 1,100-acre farm is home to more than 500 horses and encompasses a breeding facility, a boarding facility for mares, and a nursery for foals. As the farm has grown, so has its need for additional workers. In the past, the farm has had no problem attracting staff who were eager to work in the horse world. However, their search, like many other farms in these challenging times, often comes up short.

An additional concern, though seemingly unrelated at the time, was the meteoric rise in addiction—the exact opposite of the trajectory of available farm workers. In 2021, it was estimated that approximately 20 million individuals in the United Stated had a substance use disorder; nearly one in 10 people have battled some form of addiction, reports the Recovery Research Institute. People in recovery fight many battles, a major one being that many have served jail time, which is an additional strike against them when they apply for jobs or even places to live.

With a family member battling addiction, Frank Taylor was thrown headfirst into the world of recovery. Aware of the skyrocketing addiction problem, he became acquainted with the Shepherd’s House in Lexington, Ky., a unique, long-term residential recovery program that focuses heavily on full-time employment and a structured environment to assist recovering males in their quest to regain control over their lives. The Shepherd’s House promotes personal responsibility, accountability, and fellowship, teaching residents life skills that will allow them to commit to a sober life.

The Shepherd’s House’s mission resonated deeply with Frank, whose dedication to work and to his family and friends shapes everything he—and Taylor Made—does. The more involved with the Shepherd’s House he became, the more resolute he became in his conviction that Taylor Made could help people in recovery at the same time they were helping themselves. The seed for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship was planted.

An Innovative Approach

When Frank approached the Shepherd’s House with the idea of bringing men in active recovery onto the farm and teaching them the skills they would need to get a job once they graduated from recovery, CEO Jerod Thomas was all in. Thomas was not a stranger to horses, but he is the first to mention that Frank is the brains behind the equine side of the program.

“I know that any time you work with any animal, [such as] horses or dogs, there’s a therapeutic piece that’s calming and forces people to take responsibility,” he explains.

This program, the duo hoped, would be beneficial for everyone involved. But first it had to pass muster with the other Taylor brothers—not an easy sell. When Frank approached his brothers with his idea, they were initially hesitant; they were fearful that their horses or people would get hurt, or that the men would use drugs on the farm. Frank convinced them to give the pilot program a try, and if at any time their fears were founded, the program would be disbanded.

Thomas pulls no punches when he explains how people with addiction think.

“You can drop a drug addict in Atlanta [or any major city] in the dead of winter in a pair of shorts and he will find a way to get a car and get drugs,” he says. “The key [to the success of this program] was getting [people with addiction] to use their survival skills as work skills. If you can get that determination channeled into a work ethic, these guys can outwork anyone.”

That work ethic, by its very definition, is what the horse world is looking for.

But there are many more facets to a successful recovery than simply buckling down and working hard: it’s necessary for those in recovery to learn or re-learn life skills and emotional management.

“If you give these guys a job and daily living skills, there is not one thing they can’t do,” says Thomas. This innate belief in the value of those in recovery comes through in everything Thomas and the Shepherd’s House does. Frank was also able to see past the societal stigma and recognized that what these men needed was simply another chance—and COVID, and the resulting labor shortage, was going to give it to them. Partnered with the Shepherd’s House, the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gives program participants 90 days of instruction on the ins and outs of the handling, care, and management of horses, after which men can be hired on full-time at Taylor Made or one of the other farms in the bluegrass. Shepherd’s House residents are paid through the Kentucky Career Center.

Though the original plan was to have groups of three to five men with six to nine months of sobriety under their belts at a time on the farm, the Taylor Made team has discovered that if they hire people as they come and base the program on individuals rather than on a timeline, the program works better. Thus far, over half of the men who have graduated from the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship have been hired on as full-time farm staff.

Firsthand Experience

Josh Bryan was employed full-time with Taylor Made when he entered the Shepherd’s House with Frank’s support in 2020. Always a valuable farm employee, Josh became Frank’s right hand when it came to conceptualizing and launching the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship; someone who was in active recovery and also knew the inner workings of the farm proved invaluable.

“Hard work is a good way to keep the mind occupied, and horses are very therapeutic,” says Bryan. “We’ve found that guys who complete the program have grown in body, mind and spirit.”

One example of how well the Horsemanship School is working is Drew (last name withheld for privacy).

“He started with us a few months after the program was up and running,” says Bryan. “He has put his whole heart and soul not only into the farm and the horses he takes care of, but also into his recovery. When he first got to the farm, he was broken in all areas: mentally, physically and emotionally. As he got some horse experience under his belt, he fell in love with the work and developed a sense of pride and ownership in the horses. Now a full-time team member, Drew is running his own barn and he continues to grow all the time. He has a bright future ahead of him, not only at the farm, but also in his recovery.”

Drew and the other men in the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gain a new sense of purpose through their work.

“They become part of the family,” says Bryan. “They grow in all aspects of their lives. They develop a great work ethic and become very grateful and humble to come to work every day and have the opportunity to work for what they earn.”

This sense of camaraderie and fellowship is integral to how the Shepherd’s House operates—but this sense of teamwork is also essential for any farm to operate smoothly.

“We have big dreams for where the program is going,” says Bryan. “Our long-term goal is to make this type of program available nationwide—even worldwide. We are here to help as many people as possible.”

The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are sure to be felt for years to come, but not all of them are negative. The opportunity for those in recovery to receive a second chance at meaningful employment—and for the equine industry to gain willing, capable workers—is truly game changing. Those of us lucky enough to love horses know how these creatures can heal so many things, people and economies included.

In Their Own Words

“The Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gave me something I never knew I was missing in life: An opportunity at a job that doesn’t feel like work. No medicine could replace what the horses do for me. [The school has] also given me a work ethic that has spilled over into all kinds of areas of my life, for which I am very thankful.” — Hunter B.

“Peace, watching the sun rise, humbleness, working with horses, and serenity when I pray before bed.” — Drew M. on what the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship has brought him.

“It has provided an opportunity for me to change my life with teaching me such an amazing trade. Two years ago, I was homeless, living in the woods with no future. Now I’m blessed to be working with Thoroughbred horses. It’s helped give me a sense of purpose and given me the ability to have goals; with Taylor Made’s help, I will reach them. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity to be a part of this program. It’s really helped save my life.” — Kaleb B.

The Taylor Made School of Horsemanship has “made my life in recovery enchanted; I also loved horses. God saw fit to place Taylor Made farm in my life. The impact has changed my life. [I am] so blessed.” — Jeremy J.

This article about Taylor Made School of Horsemanship appeared in the April 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Taylor Made School of Horsemanship Aids in Recovery appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.