In a joint project of UC Davis School of Medicine, UC Davis Center for Equine Health, and the Connected Horse a not for profit organization, 34 participants took part in Connected Horse’s continued research exploring how guided work with horses might improve the lives of people with dementia along with their care partners.
Caring partners
Horses are masters of perception, connection and caring and have a profound, immediate and lasting effect on persons living with dementia and their care partners.
© 2017 by Lisa F. Young
The research showed significantly improved scores in feelings of social support and reduced feelings of depression. In addition, participants reported increased feelings of confidence, hope, self-awareness and better sleep quality.
The human-horse connection is especially powerful as the nonverbal responses and behaviors of horses often act as mirrors to participants and help to provide clarity, strength and healing. Connected Horse workshops are designed for people living with early stage dementia and their primary care partners (typically a spouse, friend, family member).
The workshops include a series of three to seven days of facilitated programs with horses. No prior experience with horses is necessary. Participants do not ride; they engage with horses from the ground.
The experienced facilitators lead participants through a variety of activities including observing horses in pastures or stalls, over the fence introduction to horses, grooming, leading. The group exercises facilitate how horses will teach participants to gain awareness, relax and self regulate personal responses.
The work with the horses and facilitators helps participants to gain clarity, adjust patterns, define changing roles and release emotions; such as fear, grief and negativity while learning to be fully present in the moment.
Connected Horse outcomes include:
- Ability to Relax and Gain Trust and Confidence
- Awareness of Internal and External Responses
- Learn to Become Present
- Practice Stress Reduction Strategies
- Strengthen Communication and Relationships
In addition to the research, Connected Horse launched a community collaboration with Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center a nonprofit in Orinda, CA. Connected Horse and Xenophon provide 8 weeks of successful workshops for participants in the east bay.
Why Horses?
“Being with horses miraculously allows us to feel what we are often unable to articulate with words — liberating the senses to experience emotional connections to something much deeper.” –Paula Hertel, MSW
Horses are masters of perception, connection and caring; they have a profound, immediate and lasting effect on persons living with dementia and their care partners. The connection between people and horses is proven to be therapeutic in many populations due to the nonjudgmental, unconditional interactions animals offer humans.
The human-horse connection is especially powerful as their behaviors often reflect the energy or emotions of the participants. Their responses can lead to deeper understanding and self-compassion
In 2018 Connected Horse will expand its groundbreaking workshops at University of California Davis to include a more longitudinal look at the possible benefits of equine assisted interventions.
Also Connected Horse will be conducting additional booster workshops 3-6 months after the initial workshops are conducted, to track progress.