The Healing Hooves Blog

Through a real life example, learn how horses can be powerful role models and teachers, inviting us to a place of emotional congruence and well being.

We share much in common with horses and other mammals – including many of our emotions. Read how these similarities – as well as the ways we differ – can be drawn upon to both enhance the effectiveness of counselling and wellness approaches, and to explain why so many of us find it healing to simply have animals in our life.

Many people have good reason NOT to seek help. They may have experienced the world and relationships as unsafe places; or counselling as unhelpful, boring, and a waste time. We cannot even begin to help someone unless something motivates them to show up – both physically and emotionally – despite all the reasons not to. This article explores how and why horses are often that ‘something’.

The benefits to humans of being with and around animals are well documented and supported by research. This article explores some of these findings and two key explanations for this: The Biophilia Hypothesis and the Person Centred Conditions of Congruence, Unconditional Positive Regard and Empathy.

Why are so many of us drawn towards working, healing or simply just ‘being’ with these magnificent animals? This post introduces a new series within which we will aim to shed light on that age old question: Why Horses?