Horse care 'helps' with PTSD

Friday, 29 October 2010 16:27

War veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may find that horse care helps them handle their conditions.

Gary Adler, the president of Pegasus Rising, a volunteer group that pairs military personnel with the beasts has said their sensitivity to human emotion makes them perfect partners for people with deep psychological wounds, the North County Times reports.

When veterans arrive at the organisation's corral, they often do not want to be touched or reach out to objects themselves so Mr Adler said a lot of "ground work" is carried out, such as scratching, rubbing and walking with the horses - which helps bring them out of their shells.

"It's like all the barriers come down and they're children again," he remarked.

The programme has also been extended to include couples and family sessions to help relatives of those who have served in the military, as well as to civilians living with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

Posted by Katherine