FidelisIndy

11/13/2024

Www.morningdovetrc/wintersession2025

11/12/2024

08/08/2023

👉 People who have struggled to make progress or achieve their treatment goals have made significant breakthroughs with the aid of horses in their therapy sessions. Research has confirmed many benefits. Interacting with horses can lower blood pressure and heart rate, alleviates stress, and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.

There are several life skills that are learned with horses in a way that feels engaging and emotionally safe, some of which include identifying and coping with feelings, setting boundaries, overcoming fears, and forming healthy relationships with others and self. 👌
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08/04/2023

“We will never have to tell our horse that we are sad, happy, confident, angry or relaxed. He already knows - long before we do.” - Marjike de Jong

There is something about being seen and heard by another living being who seems to know us even better than we do. For instance, when we think we are acting confidently, the horses can tell us if that is authentic by how they respond to us. As we interact with them, they help us look honestly at ourselves, going deeper than our surface layers of what we hope to portray.

In mental health sessions incorporating horses, clients experience their conscious and subconscious masks coming down as they feel seen by the horses in a way not usually experienced in other relationships. 🐴

👉Interesting fact: “In a study at the University of Suss*x, researchers videotaped 28 riding school horses, as they were shown four photographs of two male models, each with a smiling expression and an angry expression. Each horse’s heart rate was also monitored while viewing the images. When shown photographs of angry expressions the horses tended to look at the images with their left eye longer than they did the positive images. Their heart rates also increased when they viewed negative facial expressions.”

Source: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-world/horses-read-human-emotions-52910/?fbclid=IwAR3FETNr5tANz9StsGfVp715O3MF8rvB26-uRZZhWoGZHDhWin1S3yddtO0

06/26/2023

You may wonder, why horses for mental health and not other animals?

Horses have been found to act similarly to humans in their social and responsive behavior. It’s natural for people to connect with the horse as they reflect many aspects of ourselves.

Just being near horses or stroking them can reduce stress and anxiety levels and increase a sense of wellbeing.

It doesn’t involve humans trying to imitate the way horses interact with one another. It’s a symbiotic and dynamic process that recognizes horses as sensitive, decision-making beings.

Source:
Andrea Petitt. Keri Brandt-Off. “Intelligent bodies: Embodied subjectivity human-horse communication” Apr 2022. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290956952_Intelligent_bodies_Embodied_subjectivity_human-horse_communication

06/24/2023

"When it feels disheartening to learn that trauma changes the brain, remember that healing changes the brain, too." - Unknown

06/21/2023

From an org called The Round Pen, indicative of our work:

𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞.🤔

I did a session where one of my little ponies stepped up + chose to work with a man with a lot going on in his world. He hadn't chosen to come and without an order wouldn't have been there.

We decided just to go for a walk + chat. It became evident that he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. On four separate occasions on the walk she lied down and rolled, over and over again, all the while he never let go of her lead rope. It was hilarious, she was having the time of her life acting out, rolling, getting tangled, all the stuff. I simply asked him why he thought she was doing that as this is totally out of character for her, she's actually usually pretty serious.

He responded without missing a beat, "It's because almost all the chaos in my life I allow from other people, and I'll never let go of the rope. It's like I can't, it's all my responsibility. But watching her role I realize me not letting go of the rope could cause her serious harm. I guess it's time to let go."🤯

From that day forward he began to set clear boundaries, session by session he showed up happier + lighter, and thrilled he was "forced" to spend time with the herd.

When it comes to this work I think often because we get to see the brilliance all the time we take for granted the simple things that create magic between horse and human. It's like we keep raising the bar higher and higher and higher, putting pressure on ourselves and our herd and sometimes we need to remind ourselves the horses are the gurus, stand back and allow their brilliance, we just got to ask great questions! 🤠🔥🐎

*from a different org, but this is why we do what we do!

06/21/2023

Who is leading who? Caring for horses can do as much for us as it does for them.

Relationship struggles, whether relationships with ourselves, others, our environments, or our beliefs and emotions, are usually at the foundation of mental health issues. Leading and caring for horses is about relationship. They are much bigger and stronger than us, so coercion and control are not effective. Horses provide an opportunity to develop healthy relationships based on trust, respect, self-confidence, and communication.

Psychotherapy and personal growth services incorporating horses involve more than tending to the needs of horses. With the support of trained professionals, clients experientially learn to develop healthy relationships with others and themselves.

Many times, clients report that connecting with a horse feels like they’re connecting with themselves.
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06/14/2023

Horses are highly intuitive to nonverbal messages and intentions. Through this, we receive unbiased feedback and our stories transform in a safe and powerful way. Due to their size and presence, horses create a sense of awe, leading to increased emotional safety and engagement in the treatment process.

Because horses can provide a safe and dynamic environment, peace and healing can happen through relationships facilitated by trained professionals. 🐴

05/26/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_UCl6Ofn7o

Follow Scott on his journey of growth and reformation from a ‘broken man’ to one who has finally found his peace. If you’ve ever felt like Scott, we encourag...

05/19/2023

We're so grateful to have the support of Singer and Songwriter, J Michael Harter and cowboy, musician, and actor Forrie J Smith “Lloyd” in Yellowstone in the Seen Through Horses campaign! 🤠🎶

These two friends share a deep passion for both horses and music! They recently released 2 new songs together and a music video featuring ranch life and magnificent footage of their marvelous horses.

We’re thankful for their advocacy and dedication to our cause, and grateful for their commitment to help bring awareness to the many healing powers horses can have on humans – and vice versa! You can read more about the horses that have inspired and positively impacted J Michael’s and Forrie’s lives at https://horsesformentalhealth.org/stories/

Join us in supporting our 55+ nonprofit Charity Partners this important cause and making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most by visiting horsesformentalhealth.org/campaign, selecting a nonprofit, and making a one-time donation.