How Montana Veterans Can Use Equine Learning to Help with Post Traumatic Stress

Veterans can struggle with trust, relationships, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares and other symptoms that interfere with their independence and sense of self long after their tours of duty are finished.

Spanish Cross Inc. M2B Ranch Equine Learning Center is building an equine assisted learning program to help veterans reduce those symptoms and reclaim their independence. According to their website, their six-week program called Herd 2 Human will help students:

• Discover the healing power of the horse

• Affirm their personal value and purpose

• Learn methods of collapsing trauma to build trust

• Accept a positive perspective of traumatic experiences.

• Gain a new view of the world and one’s future

• Develop meaningful relationships with others

By working with horses from the ground (there's no horseback riding involved), veterans and other students work on building trust and a sense of safety with the horses, which in turn helps veterans put their fears in perspective and change their outlook of their future.

Herd 2 Human is offered at no charge to veterans thanks to community donations. To support this vital program, donate online at horsepowerincmt.org/donate.