Equine therapy programs embrace bonds between humans and horses

For more than 30 years, Stable Hands Equine Therapy Center near Wausau has harnessed the healing qualities of animal companionship, helping people cope with a range of emotional and physical challenges.

Stable Hands offers several programs that aim to improve the lives of participants through guided interaction with horses. One offering centers on activities for veterans struggling with physical, emotional, social and cognitive challenges, while another addresses a variety of mental health issues ranging from anxiety to addiction, grief and trauma.

In June, the organization broke ground on a multi-use stall barn that will allow for more accessibility and year-round programming. Once completed, the new addition will accommodate the Stable Hands herd and provide space for program activities regardless of weather conditions, which in the current facility are sometimes threatened during the colder months.

Stable Hands Board President Leslie Brown told WPR’s “Morning Edition” she discovered the organization when searching for therapy opportunities for her own daughter, who has autism. Seeing her daughter blossom when spending time with the horses motivated Brown to help other parents and caregivers who want the same opportunities for their loved ones.

“There are countless stories I could tell you about breakthroughs or things we’ve seen with with our clients, but it’s truly rewarding,” Brown said. “And that’s why I do it.”

The following transcription was edited for brevity and clarity.  

Shereen Siewert: Many people think of dogs and cats as the perfect support animals. Why are horses so suited to this type of therapy? 

Leslie Brown: Horses have a very unique way of connecting with humans. Horses are prey animals, and that seems to resonate very well with people. They have a herd culture and form bonds, just like people do. We tend to be social animals, and there’s just a unique way that horses tend to touch people in their hearts. They really provide a calming effect for individuals that are around them.

SS: What drew you to this kind of program? 

LB: I myself have a daughter with autism and I was looking for alternative therapies for her. I came across Stable Hands and and I thought, well, this might be a perfect fit for her. It drew me to get involved and help others like my daughter be able to participate in a program like this.

One of the things that I worked the last few years to incorporate was an unmounted program. That is kind of a precursor for some clients who might then be able to get into our therapeutic riding programs, by first working with individuals from the ground. They still get the opportunity to be around the horses, to lead them, to experience all the fun that horses can bring to one’s life, because the horses make it fun. 

SS: You’re a veteran yourself. Talk about how this kind of approach can help people with the specific challenges that veterans can have, like PTSD and other trauma. 

LB: They’re able to have a calm place because the horses are calming, which can bring their heart rates down. The anxiety they feel can lessen while they’re in a session. It just really provides this calming effect that I’ve not experienced really in any other setting.

Then of course you have the outdoors, being in nature, which also brings a sense of peaceful calmness that I think veterans who are trying to deal with adjustments need. They can just come out and relax out there and and have a safe place to do that. We don’t have to even say a word. We can just go out there and stand with the horses as they are healing.

SS: What other issues can therapeutic writing programs help with? 

LB: Honestly, they can help with with just about any kind of mental health challenge that someone might be facing, behavioral as well as physical. We have several clients that have cerebral palsy. Some have spina bifida, some have Down Syndrome. Honestly, it’s endless, the type of therapy horses can provide to individuals, whether it’s a mounted or an unmounted session.

SS: Are the horses specially trained? 

LB: Yes. We work and train our horses to be able to stand for long periods of time, to be able to walk with an unbalanced rider. We have very high standards that we expect of our horses, and we are watching out for their safety, too. They’re only able to work so many hours a week or during the day. When you’re talking about horses working with individuals who have challenges, those individuals may be unbalanced, so that can cause injuries, possibly to horses, too.

We’re very protective of them as well and give them adequate rest and nutrition. We’ve even done massage and acupuncture for our horses, so they get quite the treatment. They’re the main part of the program, the ones that are providing the therapy. We as facilitators are just there to be a guide. 

SS: You just broke ground on a new building. What do you want that expansion to accomplish? 

LB: That particular expansion is a new stable. This will allow us to have all of our services under one roof. One of the challenges we faced, especially during the winter months, is the cold temperatures and ice, which meant we often had to cancel classes and sessions. Essentially what this provides is consistency for our clients. We have a lot of repeat clients and this allows them to continue on with their goals without any breaks. 

SS: What does it feel like for you personally when you see a client transformed through these types of programs? 

LB: Well, it brings tears to my eyes. I can’t tell you what it it brings to me seeing my daughter break through on different goals and seeing our other clients break through on their goals as well. Sometimes we have clients that don’t say a word, and then they’ll say “walk on” to their horse. Their parents are crying; we’re crying. It’s just quite remarkable, the transformation we can see in some of our clients. 

If you have an idea about something in central Wisconsin you think we should talk about on “Morning Edition,” send it to us at central@wpr.org.