05/29/2026
A friend stopped by yesterday and asked me “ why horses”
She wanted me to discuss with someone about the benefits of horses…
So Why Horses?
Said simply by Winston Churchill “there is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of man "
But what does this mean? …to everyone it is something different! To me….here we go…let’s go down that rabbit hole😉
To the average human, you see the gentleness in pasture, the athletic abilities in movies, and many dream of riding fast through a field..
For us..we see the horse as a whole being…they want to belong, be safe, have shelter, food, movement, share space and be pain free… they are social beings…isolation in stalls for long periods of time can cause physical and mental damage….like people? I just had surgery and being non mobile is very difficult…so I suppose we have similar needs?
……imagine for a moment…you were taken from your environment and asked to do something physical in a new environment and never to return …
This is what foster children go through..people with trauma, or even the military, people that may need care for basic needs….horses, however are much more resilient then people can adapt much quicker than people
So…
Let’s start at the basics….
-food & shelter. ..horses realize after a short time that they will have this..because we all know if we are hungry, cold, ect we are not happy
…people live in the past a lot! Horses in the present
If we can pass this stage..we move to
-safety ….. horses want to have a friend group they can belong in , that looks out for each other..and hopefully a human group that can see them for who they are..not ask them to wear a saddle that pinches the spine, make them move in ways through punishment ect…so when humans and horse groups help the horse feel safe they will most likely enjoy adventures with humans..
People, as well, need to feel safe before we can go into the unknown…will we be hurt or kicked for turning the wrong way? If so..why would we do it a second time….the pull and kick rider..yikes. We get many of the folks who want to work here who say they are expert riders, but I see they are in the pull and kick stage..this is a tough one…how do we reteach willingness over dominance in people? I don’t know!..but I digress ..in horses we can work with this..
And then we can move to a belonging stage…
Belonging…
we belong in this world..we are safe, stimulated and are able to make decisions
How many of us feel this…how many of us…feel safe, belong and can try new ideas, ask questions
thanks for sticking around! So back to..
“ why horses”
Horses can look to us as part of their group…or not! Have we met their needs, kept them safe
Liberty work with people is all of that packed into a small session…the horses will simply say where you are in this phase of your life…the horse will decide ( when at liberty) if they are safe with you..need to protect you…and much much more…
We believe horses will show you what you need to work on in order to be present in the moment and feel a sense of belonging
When a horse( acts out, doesn’t listen ect) 99% of the time it is the human needing to change something on the inside of them to have the horse physically react in a positive way….
So..most of our work is on foot….and has to be before any of it can be in the saddle …if the on foot work fails..the riding will not be any better!
So a bit into…” Why Horses”
resiliency, presence, strength, humility, harmony, patience, partnership, participation, ….what can you add?
Winston Churchill said it best " there is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of man "
Same horse in each pic
