Did Ya Know

Equine Therapy – Why Horses?

Because horses are large and powerful, they create an opportunity for us to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working along-side a horse seems to be extremely successful in the development of courage and even trust. Horses are straightforward and honest, so this makes them incredible messengers.

Horses, like humans have distinct personalities, therefore we have to be adaptable when being with them. They tend to be stubborn, so people, including kids, learn effective techniques in dealing with challenges and seem to develop better problem solving skills.

Horses require us to work, whether in caring for them or working with them. In a time of instant gratification and wanting things easy, horses require people to be patient and engaged both physically and mentally. This is a most valuable lesson for our own growth and development.

Horses have an emotional intelligence that humans have yet to adopt. They are advanced in the emotions of gratitude and forgiveness. These two feelings are the greatest vehicles towards a more peaceful and powerful life.

A horse seems to have a deep soul, beyond what one can explain. When we are in their presence, we tend to meet our own soul. What a gift to us, what a gift!


Did ya know that people mount horses from the left side because soldiers in the olden days rode with their swords on their right side? It makes it THAT. MUCH. EASIER.


Did ya know that estimates suggest that there are around 60 million horses in the world?


Did ya know that a 19th century horse named "Old Billy" is said to have lived 62 years?


Did ya know when horses are born their hooves are soft and tissue like? They harden from walking and exposure.


Did ya know that when you fasten dryer sheets to the tail and mane of a horse, it keeps the flies away?


Did ya know that apples, carrots and celery on top of plain whole oats are much better for horses than feeds with corn or added molasses?


Did ya know that often a mare in the wild will nurse an orphaned foal?


Did ya know that mustang geldings often will look after colts and fillies if there is no mare in the band to do it?


Did ya know that horses love natural salt, like Redmond salt or Himalayan salt rocks much better than chemical salt blocks?


Did ya know that horse’s hooves are connected to their hearts and the heart pulse of the earth?


Did ya know that the stallions when rescued need to be kept apart from other stallions until gelded?


Did ya know that the emotions of a horse are very much like a human’s emotions?


Did ya know that teeth care for a horse is as important as it is for a human?


Did ya know that gentling a horse takes patience and time?


Did ya know that horses have very strong emotions? They can express joy (at feeding time), sorrow (when they lose a friend or young one), anger (when they pin back their ears and strike out), indifference (when they turn their butt to you and ignore you) and happiness like while being groomed (when they shut their eyes and smile). They are capable of showing us not only how they are feeling but express their feelings in very honest ways that can be easily seen if we pay attention.


Did ya know that many horses do not need shoes? Their hooves were created to work just fine as a shoe itself. If trimmed and cared for properly, a horse can live all its life with no shoes. Many horses that have had shoes in the past can transition into not wearing shoes by slowly building up the hoofs strength with boots or by not forcing any activity on hard or rocky ground.


Did ya know than many first nations people used ‘products’ from nature to groom their ponies? These included bunches of fresh, long, sweetgrass to rub shine into the coat, or teasels to comb out the mane and tail or even sand rubs to clean dirt and mud from the coat. Horses were blessed and prayed over before battles, as well as times when they were just being ridden while traveling. People would often sleep with their ponies so they could hear their heartbeats, which were believed to be bound to the earth through the hooves!


Did ya know that a thoroughbred born in the Northern Hemisphere are officially considered a year older on the first day of January, those born in the Southern Hemisphere are officially one year older on the first of August.


Did ya know that when a thoroughbred unseats a rider at the start of the race, it is not uncommon for that horse to pace itself in the race and go ahead and make its move just before the finish line quite often winning the race. The same horse will pull up and return to the winners circle for its picture and to allow itself to be caught.


Did ya know that sometimes horses will paw and lick at the ground to get minerals that they need?


Did ya know that because of the way their eyes are placed on their heads horses cannot see directly in front of or behind themselves? That’s why it’s important not to stand directly in front of or behind them.


Did ya know that in the wild a horse may travel up to 20 miles in one day while grazing or seeking water? They stay on paths and wander very far with their bands and herds.