Horses working in therapeutic riding programs do not experience additional stress

(University of Missouri-Columbia) In the US, therapeutic horseback riding offers equine-assisted therapy to diverse populations who have anxiety disorders. Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder often are prescribed this type of therapy to cope with anxiety, but little is known about how these programs affect the stress levels in horses. Now, a University of Missouri study has revealed that horses ridden by veterans with PTSD did not have undue physiological stress responses while participating in a therapy program.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2wpCsxP