Science behind the “feeling”

I used to joke that I was in the only sport where the ball had a mind of its own. And honestly, it’s not far from the truth. Horses are among the largest animals humans work with for sport, pleasure, and labor. Sure, there are elephants—but let’s leave that for another day.

Horses are fascinating creatures: strong yet sensitive, powerful yet willing to submit when trust is present.

Take Bentley, my personal horse. He’s a 1,200-pound toddler—and we both know it. Just yesterday, I was riding with my niece in our pasture. It was too beautiful a day not to enjoy with our herd. Bentley and Shiloh (her horse) are easy to catch and tack up, so we decided to saddle up and ride.

I realized too late I wasn’t wearing my riding boots—just regular ones. For those of you who ride, you know what that means. We all have “off” days. Yesterday was Bentley’s.

He didn’t want to walk when I wanted him to. And when Shiloh wasn’t in his line of sight? Forget it. He froze. But through patience (and many, many circles), we worked through it. That’s the nature of horsemanship—an ongoing, silent conversation, whether you're on the ground or in the saddle. It’s this slow, steady work that builds a strong and trusting relationship.

The Power of Vulnerability

I’ve spoken about vulnerability before, but it bears repeating. Humans can hide vulnerability—masking it with bravado or distraction. Horses can’t. They are raw, honest, and deeply intuitive. That makes it almost impossible not to be vulnerable in their presence.

They match your energy. And if I’m honest, maybe I was in a bit of a mood yesterday too. Bentley might’ve just been reflecting that back to me.

This kind of emotional attunement is what makes our relationship with horses so magical. They're not just animals we ride—they’re partners who invite us to show up authentically.

Why Horses Heal

There’s a growing body of scientific research that backs up what so many of us know instinctively: horses help humans heal—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Their unique instincts and social structures make them ideal partners for coaching, therapy, and much more. Whether we’re talking about Equine-Assisted Coaching (EAC), Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT), Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), or Hippotherapy, horses offer something extraordinary.

Why? Because for millions of years, horses have been prey animals. They’ve survived by detecting subtle changes in their environment—and in the energy of those around them. That same hyper-vigilance makes them perfect partners for human connection. They read what we’re doing, saying, and feeling—even the things we try to hide.

What the Herd Teaches Us

Watching my own herd has taught me a lot. There’s always a leader, a second-in-command, and the rest fall into place. They accept each other. They are kind, respectful, tolerant, and forgiving—regardless of whether someone behaves “perfectly” or not.

Most importantly, they’re honest, fair, and non-judgmental. These behaviors are not just niceties—they’re survival strategies. And they don’t change just because a human walks into the pasture.

That’s what makes herd dynamics so powerful in healing: horses continue to model the kind of compassion, connection, and emotional intelligence we strive for ourselves.

The Science of Healing With Horses

Here are just a few ways horses have been shown to support healing in clinical studies:

Trauma & PTSD

• What happens: Horses help individuals reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, especially veterans and trauma survivors.

• Study example: A 2015 pilot study in the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health found that veterans in an 8-week equine-assisted therapy program had significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.

Anxiety & Depression

• What happens: Participants report lower anxiety, improved mood, and greater self-esteem.

• Study: A 2018 systematic review in Frontiers in Psychology showed improved emotional regulation and mood across various equine therapy studies.

Autism, ADHD & Behavioral Disorders

• What happens: Kids with autism, ADHD, and behavioral challenges often improve in social skills, communication, and empathy.

• Study: A 2013 study in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders found that therapeutic horseback riding improved social functioning in children with autism.

Physical Rehab

• What happens: Horse movement helps improve posture, balance, and motor skills.

• Modality: In hippotherapy, a horse’s gait mimics the motion of walking, engaging the rider’s core and stimulating neuromotor function.

Benefits Beyond the Saddle

Healing doesn’t require riding. Groundwork, grooming, and simply being present with a horse can provide incredible benefits:

• Structure & responsibility – Caring for a horse teaches consistency and accountability.

• Empathy & attunement – Reading a horse’s body language helps individuals better understand emotional cues.

• Trust & bonding – Building trust with a 1,200-pound animal often translates to improved relationships with humans.

Physiological Shifts

Spending time with horses impacts the body as well as the mind:

• Lowered cortisol (stress hormone)

• Increased oxytocin (bonding hormone)

• Reduced heart rate and blood pressure

• Heart-rate synchronization – Some studies suggest horses and humans can sync heart rhythms, promoting calm and connection.

PTSD, Trauma

• Reduced symptoms, better regulation

• Emotional mirroring, non-judgmental presence

Autism, ADHD

• Improved empathy, social interaction

• Empathy-building, sensory input, routine

Physical Rehab

• Better posture, balance, core strength

• Horse’s gait mimics human walking

Stress, Anxiety

• Lower cortisol, improved mood

• Oxytocin release, mindfulness, calm engagement

Researchers at the Temple Grandin Equine Center at Colorado State University are currently studying how horses help people with autism. Dr. Caitlin Peters explains:

“People with autism are often either over-aroused—hyper, excited, irritable—or under-aroused—tired and disengaged. Horse movement helps regulate that.”

I watched a friend coach a child with autism simply by leading him on a horse. The boy came into the barn highly stimulated—fidgeting, active, and distracted. But on the horse, he softened. He focused. Afterward, he was calm and able to express himself clearly to both the horse and his mother. It was beautiful to witness.

Dr. Peters adds:

“A horse takes on average 100 steps a minute. Every step they take is impacting that patient.”

In Closing

Science is catching up to what horse people have known for centuries: horses have the power to heal. Whether through riding, grooming, leading, or simply being still together, horses help us regulate, connect, and grow.

No matter how advanced the research gets, some truths are simply felt:

Horses heal hearts and minds—one hoofbeat at a time.