Heart Matters
Author: Jeanne P. Yetz, M.D.

Heart Matters

For Kim and her older sister, Diane, the day with the horses was a chance to spend some time together. Now both married and with busy careers of their own, they had grown apart although they had not quite realized just how far apart. Little did they know on this warm July morning as the sun crept over the mountain tops, just how much the heart of a little Half Arabian filly would matter in their lives.

Kim and Diane were participating in an Equine Assisted Group Therapy workshop. Both experienced horse women, they were intrigued by the idea of using horses to help people with psychological and life issues. Equine Assisted Therapy has been around for many years but has only recently gained in popularity. Over two centuries ago, German physicians wrote about the benefits of working with horses for people struggling with “fears” and “sorrows.” In the United States, the focus has been on therapeutic riding for the handicapped, most notably with the formation of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). More recently, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) was established to promote the field and educate the public about the benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy as well as to set national standards
for practitioners. Equine Assisted Therapy is not about teaching riding or horsemanship. Most activities involve being and working with the horses on the ground. Typically, the therapy is co facilitated by a licensed mental health professional and a horse specialist.

As the group participants assembled their chairs in the arena, they did not notice that one of the horses in the small herd had walked over to investigate. A black Half Arabian yearling named Mountain Aire, affectionately called Emmie, poked around the chairs and did a little rearranging on her own. She then moved over to the halters and proceeded to pull each one off their hooks. When the participants were seated, Emmie walked behind to where Kim was sitting and began playing with her hair. Everyone laughed at her antics. Thus began the day’s session.

The co-facilitators asked the group members what they thought about Emmie’s behavior. Diane was reminded of what it was like when she and her sister were children. Their mother had passed away when Kim was five years old. Being quite a few years older, Diane was given the responsibility of taking care of her younger sister. She talked about always having to “rescue” Kim who got into more than a little bit of mischief herself. Emmie seemed to reflect Kim’s mischievous side. Long forgotten feelings between the two sisters began to tug at their heart strings.

Horses, as equine therapy partners, are naturally adept at spotting hidden feelings and conflicts. As horse people know, horses pick up on our emotional states right away and mirror back to us our feelings. If we are irritable, they may exhibit signs of impatience. If they sense fear and anxiety, they become nervous. Horses are not only alert and intelligent but are exquisitely attuned when it comes to matters of the heart. Their feelings resonate with our own. Full of life and curiosity, they absolutely demand our full attention and keep us focused in the moment. Their spirit and energy is contagious. Loyal and faithful, horses have seen humans at their best and at their worst.

In the next activity, the group had to choose a horse from the herd and move her over a jump set up in the arena. As with most everything in life, there were a few rules. The participants could not speak with one another or use any “aids” such as halters, ropes or lunging whips. Diane took the lead, signaling to the other group members what to do. She chose an older horse for the task. After about fifteen minutes, the horse was over the jump. The group gathered around in a circle to talk about the experience. Diane and Kim stood opposite each other. By then, the herd had scattered to different piles of hay placed around the arena.

Kim was the first to point out how her older sister took control of the group. She conveyed an air of authority, using strong body language to direct the group members. The others figured that she knew what she was doing and followed her lead. Diane described herself as a “take charge” person; this is what made her good at her managerial job. However, Kim saw it as a pattern in their relationship as well. In discussing their choice of horse, again, the group had deferred to Diane. Diane said that she purposely avoided the younger filly, Emmie, because she did not believe that she would cooperate. She felt that Emmie would be a “trouble maker” and make the task too difficult.

Kim felt the tears well up in her eyes. She related to Emmie, a horse who seemed to share her sense of curiosity and adventure. At that moment, with quiet confidence, Emmie walked over to Kim and stood at her shoulder. Kim looked around and amidst tears and laughter, blurted out “See, she supports me! She understands.”

These are the moments in Equine Assisted Therapy when there is no doubt about the special role horses play and their unique ability to tap into and respond to our inner feelings. These are the times when horses seem to step in and guide us through our deepest “fears” and “sorrows”. As the group broke up for the day and began walking towards the gate, Diane and Kim came together and without a word, turned and hugged. They had waited years for this. And it happened on this day, thanks to a little yearling filly who knew better than anyone else that heart matters.







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Dr. Yetz is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with 20 years of experience in the field of Psychotherapy. She has a practice in Equine Assisted Growth and Learning in Roanoke, Virginia. In addition, she is a horse owner and trainer. Please see her website: www.horsepowerplus.org for more information.

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