The Healing Power of Equine-Assisted Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy has been recognized as a powerful tool in promoting mental and emotional healing. By building a connection with horses, participants can experience reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced social skills. Horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions, providing immediate feedback that can help individuals understand and manage their own feelings.
The non-judgmental presence of a horse offers a safe and supportive environment for individuals to process their experiences and emotions. This can be particularly beneficial for veterans who may be dealing with the aftermath of their service, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
How Prancing Horse Supports Veterans
Prancing Horse Inc., located at 6100 Hoffman Rd, Hoffman, offers a specialized program for veterans called Freedom Reins, which is based on natural horsemanship methods. This program is designed to help veterans build relationships with horses.
“Freedom Reins at Prancing Horse is a veterans program based on natural horsemanship methods and building relationships with our equine partners. During our lessons, veterans learn to recognize horse behaviors through grooming, ground work in the round pen, and leading and longe line work in the arena,” said Susan Price, director of Veteran Services. “Participants learn that horses are constantly communicating with us through their body language, and in return, we can communicate with them through our body language and emotions. As our participants progress through the lessons, they demonstrate reduced anxiety not only while they are working with the horses but also in everyday life.”
Freedom Reins offers a hands-on alternative to conventional clinical therapies, providing a unique approach to supporting mental health and well-being.
Success Stories from Freedom Reins
Many veterans have experienced significant improvements in their mental health and overall well-being through the Freedom Reins program. For example, participants have reported feeling more relaxed and less anxious, both during sessions and in their daily lives. The bond they form with the horses often translates into better relationships with family and friends.
One veteran shared, “Working with the horses has been a transformative experience. It’s helped me manage my anxiety and given me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.”
“This is the first program I’ve experienced that really works. The horses, teachers, and volunteers helped ease me back into a normal world,” said Rob, a veteran.
“It is a time and a place where you can come and relax and forget about the stressors in your life. I have participated in the program, and now I am enjoying volunteering with the program,” said James, a veteran and PH volunteer.
These success stories highlight the profound impact that equine-assisted therapy can have on veterans.
The Science Behind Equine-Assisted Therapy
Research has shown that interacting with horses can lead to a range of psychological and physiological benefits. The act of grooming and caring for a horse can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones. Additionally, the rhythmic movement of riding can help regulate the nervous system, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Studies have also found that equine-assisted therapy can improve mood, enhance self-esteem, and boost overall mental health. These scientific findings support the effectiveness of programs like Freedom Reins in providing meaningful therapeutic benefits to veterans.
Getting Involved with Prancing Horse
Veterans and active-duty military members interested in participating in the Freedom Reins program can do so in several ways. In partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project and PATH Intl, individuals can attend weekly hour-long sessions to work with a horse and a certified instructor at their own pace. Additionally, organizations can arrange for group sessions, allowing participants to experience the benefits of working with horses in a supportive community setting.
“Participants may register through the Wounded Warrior Project to participate free of charge. For individual participants, they work one-on-one with me and their horse. For group sessions, there is a volunteer to help with each horse as well as 2 PATH Intl certified therapeutic riding instructors. Prancing Horse has been in operation for over 40 years. Freedom Reins and the veterans’ program have grown over the past 10 years. Anyone interested in participating can reach out to me at veterans@prancing-horse.org,” says Price.
Get to know the herd—each of the beautiful horses that call the farm home and play an important role in the Freedom Reins program. Every horse has its own unique personality and story, contributing to the special atmosphere of the farm. You can meet these wonderful animals and learn more about their backgrounds and how they support the mission of Freedom Reins by visiting their website at https://prancing-horse.org/meet-the-herd-2/.
Prancing Horse also welcomes volunteers and donors who wish to support their mission. By getting involved, you can help ensure that these valuable services continue to be available to those who can benefit from them the most. For those interested in making a donation can visit https://prancing-horse.org/planned-giving/ and those interested in volunteering can email ed@prancing-horse.org.

(Photos courtesy of Prancing Horse)