Could Wild Horses Be the Antidote to Our Nation's Mental Health Crisis?

By Amanda Held

In recent years, our nation has grappled with two distinct yet surprisingly intertwined crises: the escalating mental health crisis and the controversial wild horse roundups by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). While these may seem unrelated at first glance, a deeper dive reveals a potential symbiotic solution that might be the antidote we’ve been looking for.

Mental Health Crisis by the Numbers

Mental health concerns have surged in recent years. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), as of 2022:

-1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness annually.

-1 in 25 U.S. adults live with a serious mental illness.

-Depression, the leading cause of disability worldwide, affects over 16 million American adults in a given year.

These figures are harrowing, indicating that mental health issues are not isolated incidents but a widespread concern that affects millions.

The BLM Wild Horse Crisis

Meanwhile, America's wild horses face a challenge of their own. The BLM, which is responsible for managing wild horse populations, often conducts roundups, citing overpopulation as a threat to the land and the horses themselves. However, these statistics reveal a stark reality:

-Tens of thousands of wild horses have been removed from their native territories.

-The holding facilities for these horses are often overcrowded, with the BLM spending millions annually to maintain them.

-Adoption rates, though encouraged, cannot keep pace with the roundup numbers.

So, where do these two crises intersect?

The Healing Potential of Horses: A Bond Beyond Words

Horses possess an innate ability to reflect the life inside of humans, making them perfect companions for therapeutic interventions. Equine-assisted therapy, which uses horses to help individuals cope with mental health issues, has garnered considerable attention in recent years. Here's why:

1. Trust Development: Interacting with such powerful creatures necessitates mutual respect, allowing individuals to cultivate trust, patience, and empathy.

2. Mastering Non-verbal Communication: Horses primarily rely on body language. Engaging with them can help individuals hone their emotional awareness, leading to improved human interactions.

3. Natural Stress Alleviation: Merely being in the presence of horses has been proven to lower cortisol levels, promoting relaxation and mindfulness.

4. Boosting Resilience: Facing the challenges of managing a horse enables individuals to confront personal fears, paving the way for increased self-assurance.

Historically, the symbiotic relationship between humans and horses has been celebrated in myriad ways, from folklore to therapeutic practices. This bond has therapeutic potential, as showcased by equine-assisted therapy's rise.

The Healing Power of Horses: Real-Life Stories

The age-old bond between humans and horses has proven therapeutic value. Recent events underscore the profound healing potential:

This past year, HOOVES, a veterans program from Northwest Ohio, adopted 4 wild horses from Sacramento, CA. These horses were subsequently gentled by veterans, resulting in healing that was described as "remarkable."

Sky Epperson of the Mustang Adoption Academy out of Haubstaut, Indiana, has initiated a program emphasizing Brain-Based Horsemanship, teaching individuals the nuanced process of gentling wild horses.

Bruce Anderson of Natures View, out of Camden, SC, who has decades of experience in equine-assisted healing, recently gentled his first wild horse. He described the experience as "life-changing."

Just recently, Lynn Thomas, CEO of Arenas for Change and Co-Founder of Horses for Mental Health, adopted her first wild mustang. This coincided with the launch of a groundbreaking program, an initiative by Lisa Diersen of EQUUS Film & Arts Fest and The Mustang Summit. The program draws inspiration from Lissane Fear's Mustang Discovery Ride, where she journeyed an impressive 5,000 miles across the country with her Mustangs.

A Synergistic Solution Awaits

Given the profound impact of equine therapy, an intriguing solution comes to the fore. Instead of isolating wild horses in holding facilities, what if we channeled resources to create therapeutic programs where these horses interact with individuals grappling with mental health issues?

This approach could yield dual benefits:

1. Purposeful Environments for Horses: By drastically reducing the number of horses in holding pens, they're granted purposeful lives, benefiting from human interaction.

2. A Natural Path to Healing: For many, traditional therapeutic interventions might feel inadequate. Equine therapy offers an alternative, holistic approach to mental well-being.

Addressing the intertwined challenges of mental health and wild horse management requires innovative thinking. By leveraging the therapeutic prowess of horses, we could provide a compassionate and effective remedy, healing both the human spirit and safeguarding these majestic creatures' future.

Join the Conversation

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or experiences—feel free to share them in the comments below. If you found this blog helpful, please share it with fellow equestrians who might benefit from these insights. Together, we can build a more compassionate and connected equine community! 🐴✨

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References & Additional Information

Mental Health Crisis

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2022). Mental Health by the Numbers.
- Provides comprehensive statistics on the prevalence and impact of mental health conditions in the U.S., including figures on depression and serious mental illnesses.
- NAMI Statistics
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates.
- Highlights depression as a leading cause of disability worldwide, emphasizing the need for innovative mental health interventions.
- WHO Report

Wild Horse Crisis

Bureau of Land Management (BLM). (2023). Wild Horse and Burro Program Overview.
- Details the challenges of managing wild horse populations, including the financial and logistical issues associated with holding facilities and adoption rates.
- BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program
American Wild Horse Campaign. (2022). The Truth About Wild Horse Roundups.
- Examines the impact of roundups on wild horse populations and advocates for humane management solutions.
- American Wild Horse Campaign

Healing Potential of Horses

Lentini, J. A., & Knox, M. (2009). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy as a complementary treatment intervention. The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology, 1(1), 23-42.
- Discusses the therapeutic benefits of equine-assisted therapy, particularly for individuals experiencing trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Shambo, L., & Young, D. (2010). The benefits of equine-facilitated therapy: Case studies and neuroscience connections. Society & Animals, 18(1), 1-22.
- Explores how equine therapy influences stress reduction and emotional regulation, supported by neuroscience research.
Bachi, K., Terkel, J., & Teichman, M. (2012). Equine-facilitated psychotherapy for at-risk adolescents: The influence on self-image, self-control, and trust. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(2), 298-312.
- Investigates how equine-assisted therapy fosters trust and resilience, particularly in populations dealing with mental health challenges.

Real-Life Stories

HOOVES (2023). Veterans Healing Through Equine Interaction.
- Documents how wild horse adoption programs facilitate mutual healing for both veterans and horses.
- HOOVES Veterans Program
Arenas for Change (ARCH) & Horses for Mental Health (2023). Wild Mustangs and Mental Wellness Initiatives.
- Details Lynn Thomas' work with mustangs and the therapeutic programs inspired by Lisa Diersen's Mustang Summit.
- Horses for Mental Health
Fear, L. (2022). The Mustang Discovery Ride: Exploring America’s Heartland on Horseback. EQUUS Film & Arts Fest.
1. Chronicles the journey and inspiration behind Lissane Fear's cross-country trek with mustangs, showcasing the bond and therapeutic potential of wild horses.
EQUUS Film & Arts Fest