HOW HORSES HELP SOLDIERS — AND YOU
HorseBack UK’s courses have helped more than 1,000 people. About 95% of them had no previous horse experience, yet all completed the course. Horses are therapeutic for the following reasons:
1 You’re outside
“A lot of people in the military have a need to be outside and, if you get hurt badly, that ability goes,” explains Jock. “Horses give them that mobility back and a renewed sense of freedom.
2 You learn how to treat people less fortunate than yourself
“Being an officer in the marines is not about bullying, it’s about helping people achieve a very high standard so they can become part of a team. You look after them first and that is the same with a horse. “Kindness, patience and consistency are exactly the same principles that we use in the marines as we do with our horses.
3 They teach consistency, belief and stillness…
“Horses are so focused on movement that stillness is very powerful to a horse,” continues Jock. “Once a horse is tuned in, he wants to be part of the herd that you lead and they will do what you do, to the point where you can control a horse’s breathing and heart rate by your own.
4 …plus kindness and patience
“Humans need to take the leadership with horses, but not be a bully. Horses won’t learn anything when they are fearful, so your job is to make them feel secure so they can listen and learn, and that is exactly the same as people. “Our courses give people the belief that they can take charge of their own lives again and their own destiny,” concludes Jock.