Being with horses is fun, healthy, and effective! The combination of HeartMath and horses is different enough to hold the attention of a teen girl. Spending time outdoors, in the natural horse environment, is a refreshing change from schoolrooms, therapy offices, and screen time. Being outside is good for your nervous system, your lungs, and your brain! The biofeedback techniques that we teach are fun and feel good, offering girls relief from the challenges of depression, anxiety, and social stressors.
The presence of a 1000 pound horse is enough to influence any tough mood. Horses have a very big energy field. Sometimes just being in their presence can make you feel better and you don’t even have to do anything. Also, horses are super honest. If a horse is mad it will communicate that to you directly by stomping a foot, or swishing its tail at you. If a horse is happy to see you, it will nicker, or nudge you. Sometimes a horse will doze off while you are grooming it, and that deep relaxation can rub off on you.
In one case a girl came to work with Honey, a pony that Dr. Jill uses. The girl was very shut down and in a sad mood. Her hoodie was pulled up over her face and Dr. Jill saw that the girl did not feel like talking–and that was fine. Horses do not require you to talk to them. So Dr. Jill and the girl got out all of the brushes and combs to groom the horse. Honey sensed the girl’s mood and stood very still and quiet while she was being brushed. The girl was given plenty of space to be with Honey, with no pressure. Honey seemed to enjoy the attention and the brushing felt good to her. After just a little while, the girl pushed her hoody back off of her face. After a little bit more time went by, she started talking with Honey, in the same way that you might talk with your dog at home, except that Honey is much bigger!
Soon, the girl’s mood changed. She felt much more at ease and peaceful. Then Dr. Jill and the girl practiced some heart focused breathing, gathering up positive feelings, and directed their good feelings towards Honey. Everyone felt the shift. Honey felt happy and the girl went home feeling better. Maybe the next time she feels sad, she can breathe into her heart and remember her time with Honey. This might help her to feel better.
“Horses do not judge your hair, your clothes, your shoes, or your make-up. You can have purple hair, red shoes, and pajamas on and they couldn’t care less.”
— DR. JILL GRIFFIN