The link between mental and physical wellness isn't limited to people; animals' minds and bodies are possibly even more connected. Thanks to our giant evolved brains, we humans spend a lot of time thinking and less time just experiencing. Horses, on the other hand, primarily experience life (noses in the grass feeling for the next nibble) as opposed to analyzing it. For both humans and horses, however, trauma significantly affects both mental and physical wellness.  

Pi came to us at the end of the summer, well... unwell.  Her story included a last minute rescue from a kill pen, a lot of traveling, and visible under nourishment.  Her demeanor let us know that she had trust issues and was prone to anxiety but she was never aggressive or dangerous.  Over time, Pi became more trusting of people and less freaked out when she was not with the other horses, and we thought she was recovering well.  She seemed to be drawn to others working through trauma and responded astonishingly to their relationship building efforts with her.  On more than one occasion, she willingly followed individuals through difficult obstacle courses without a lead, with only their relationship to guide her.   

Suddenly, however, she let us know that she was in physical pain, biting at anyone who touched her belly.   With the help of our vet and an equine specialist in Ohio, she was diagnosed and is now being treated for stomach ulcers.  The direct link between the brain and stomach is scientifically well documented, but for personal proof, all you have to do is think about something disgusting for your stomach to react. Though Pi was doing better mentally, the physical stress had caught up with her. 

I'm happy to report that with special care, Pi is doing much better.  Her ulcers are bothering her less and she's getting back to trusting people again.  She's been getting lots of massages and extra love from staff and Ms. Joanie is even providing her with calming aromatherapy and herbal supplements. We are careful to allow her to choose when she's ready to work with others recovering from trauma.  Through tuning in to what Pi has been telling us, and through sharing her story with others, we continue to be impressed with the similarities of human and horse connections. 

W e are so excited for next summer that we thought we'd share our summer camp brochure now, just incase anyone wants to send a child to camp for Christmas! If you don't have someone personal in mind, feel free to get in touch about contributing towards camp scholarships in honor of friends, family or simply in the spirit of holiday giving!

The whole room groaned today as I began facilitating an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) group by sharing the day's theme: mindfulness.  "Ugg, they hammer that stuff in treatment", moaned a grown man.  We were obviously off to a good start.

Mindfulness, or as we like to say, putting your head where your feet are, is a skill. While anyone can benefit from practicing this skill, it's especially empowering for individuals recovering from drug addiction.  Learning about the connection between boredom and addiction has been enlightening to say the least. I'm realizing that our fast paced, in your face, over the top, sensory overload culture has made boredom a crime punishable by drug use. Wow. 

So, what's an antidote to boredom? Mindfulness.  Embrace the nothing and allow your brain and central nervous system to rest. Horses are monumentally mindful creatures with a lot to teach us about how to be ok without a world of social media shockers to entertain. 

Back to today's group. Despite the groans, participants headed into the field to learn from the horses.  We attempted to reduce our overwhelming world wide focus to smaller circles of awareness: we watched equine lips move over the grass, we matched our breathing to their deep slow inhales and exhales, we felt the warmth and texture of soft winter coats, and we smelled the sweet breath with which horses greet each other. There was no boredom to be found in these small circles of focus; each provided a vast  opportunity  for awareness.

The results of two hours practicing these skills of mindfulness yielded comments vastly different from the initial gripes.  We asked for some reflections and this is what just a few group members had to share, "I had less nervous energy and better impulse control", "I tuned out everything that wasn't important in the moment", "I felt a true sense of peace", and "The more mindful I am, the better my life feels to me".  That's pretty amazing feedback and proof of the power of mindfulness to conquer boredom, even when standing still in an open field.

EAL is a program open to any group looking to learn through experiences with horses.  Get in touch to learn more and sign up your group for an amazing EAL experience!