Research conducted by Dr. Ann Baldwin at the University of Arizona has confirmed what equestrians have always known and felt – that horses seem to have a way to connect with your soul. In fact, that feeling is your heart rate frequency synchronizing with your horse!
Studies show a horse is truly good for the heart
Her team discovered that as humans interacted with horses, horse and human heart rate variability became coherent in the majority of participants studied, meaning their heart rate frequencies matched that of the horse they were working with. Their research suggests that the human heart rate was trying to match or follow the horse heart rate frequency, which is slower than humans. These matching frequencies in heart rate were even found when participants were just sitting quietly in the horse’s presence.
Horses help us focus on the present
This is part of the phenomenon we see at the barn; that individuals are able to focus on the present and live in the moment. When our heart rates are high from stress and worry, it is hard for us to focus our thoughts on anything except the problem that is causing our stress response in the first place. Horses can manipulate our heart rate to sync with theirs, allowing our brains and body to release from the stressor and focus on the present.
This triggers the healing process for our bodies and helps individuals learn how to self regulate their own heart rate to achieve these more positive feelings and state of mind.
As humans have lived with, worked with and relied on horses for over 5000 years, this synchronization of heart rates was likely something that happened frequently, even daily, for many individuals who worked with horses one-on-one daily for generations. Today, the ability to interact with horses daily is limited for many individuals and could be one of the underlying reasons why many individuals have a hard time learning how to self- regulate their emotions and stress responses.
It is noticed that horses help with mental health
We see examples of horses helping humans with their mental health on a daily basis at the barn. We’ve had multiple parents report that their child is suddenly better able to make friends at school and retain friendships after taking riding lessons, as an example. What can we do as individuals and as a community to help increase the interaction between humans and horses, especially for those we know need help regulating their stress responses? That is something Sagehill Stables is striving to do for our community.
Sagehill Stables offers many programs for all ages (toddler and up) including Parent and Me Riding Lessons, Summer Day Camps and Birthday Parties. Visit sagehillstables.com for more information.
