Healing With Horses: A Path for Veterans

Why Horses?

For veterans carrying the invisible weight of trauma, finding peace can feel out of reach. Horses meet us without judgment. Their calm, grounded presence helps regulate the nervous system, restore balance, and rebuild trust in connection. Working with horses isn’t about riding—it’s about standing side by side, experiencing how their quiet strength and sensitivity can steady our own bodies and minds.

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What You’ll Experience

At Zenhorse®, our equine-assisted work is:

• Ground-based — no riding required. Every session centers on presence, partnership, and the nervous system’s natural ability to heal.

• Trauma-informed — our team is trained in somatic and experiential approaches, ensuring each interaction is safe and supportive.

• Community-rooted — whether in small groups or one-on-one, veterans discover a sense of belonging alongside the horses and each other.

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Why It Works

• Studies show equine-assisted therapy reduces PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

• Research from Columbia University found over 50% of veterans with PTSD experienced major symptom reduction after eight weeks of equine-assisted therapy—gains that lasted well beyond the program.

• The HeartMath Institute shows that when humans and horses connect, their heart rhythms can sync, promoting calm, regulation, and safety in the body.

• Somatic-based trauma methods integrated into equine work show significant improvements, with nearly half of participants no longer meeting PTSD criteria after treatment.

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