Page 564 - Total War on PTSD

We have a herd of 14 horses, all unique in their size, movement, and
personality. The horses are donated, bought, or leased by the program, and come from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences. Each horse brings something different to the table. Often, Veterans will bond with a horse through learning about a horse’s background, or finding a personality trait in the horse that’s similar to themselves. Veterans often find a favorite, but sometimes have the best lessons when they work with a horse who challenges them.
Horses are non-judgmental companions. This quality allows Veterans to be open and vulnerable, and to try things they might not otherwise. To work successfully with a horse, Veterans practice communication skills such as body language, allowing for processing time, and giving clear cues. Skills developed in interactions with horses can transfer over to person-to-person interactions, but are often emotionally easier for a Veteran to learn and practice with a horse as their partner. Growth happens when a
Veteran is able to be self-aware and problem-solve through challenging situations.
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