Horses with their strength and grace inspire awe in those who come into contact with them.  They have been a friend of man for centuries helping with our travels and our work.  Now in a modern age that is fraught with worries and stresses from our daily living, they have shown to be excellent examples in how to live calmly and happily in a stress filled environment.  Why you may ask?

 Horses are programmed from birth with the fight or flight reflex.  They are always on the ready to flee a possible predator.   As an animal that is prey to others, they need to keep up their guard against potential hazards in their environment.  Yet, when you look upon them in their pasture or an open field, you often see them relaxing and calmly biding their time.  They have mastered the art of managing the stress in their life.  We can learn from their example by being aware of  and then managing stress when it occurs.  This allows us to stay calm and relaxed yet prepared to take on the inevitable challenges life has to offer us.

Equine assisted therapy connects the horse with a human so that these and many other lessons may be learned.  Therapists facilitate structured experiences which allow humans to connect with these magnificent creatures and learn something about ourselves.  One of those lessons is stress management and the art of calm.