Therapeutic Horsemanship (TH) supports our FOCUS warriors with award-winning equestrian therapy at each session. The benefits of this therapy are well documented.

A soldier riding a horse into battle has become a symbol of war and physical courage – an icon of the brave person willing to ride into the “valley of death” to defend home and country. Now horses again are coming to aid the military – but this time, it’s to help wounded warriors not in battle, but after they return home. Equestrian therapy, which involves using horses to cure psychological wounds, is helping our returning veterans suffering from PTSD.

Although some who take part in equine therapy actually ride horses, the emphasis of the therapy is to interact with the horse. Horses are especially effective at picking up cues from their environment, especially from other living things. If our FOCUS warrior is smiling but still exhibiting tense and nervous body language, a horse will become confused by the disconnected body language and respond immediately. In this way, a horse provides instant biofeedback that helps the participant learn to be authentic emotionally.

The freedom and independence experienced through Therapeutic Horsemanship’s programs act as a bridge to accomplishments for our FOCUS warriors, and lead to success in other areas of their lives as well.