Equine Therapy Creates Connection & Healing for Military Veterans
In Pilot Point, Texas, where vibrant ranches touch open skies, a unique horse riding program has taken shape at Stable Strides Farm. This program, dubbed Freedom Reins, is demonstrating firsthand the transformative power of equine therapy. Although equine-assisted therapy has been practiced here for the last 20 years, thanks to Denton County Military Veterans Peer Network (MVPN), it is now being offered specifically to military veterans in Denton County, providing them an invaluable resource and a path to recovery and reconnection.
The essence of Freedom Reins lies in its innovative approach to healing — pairing veterans with horses in a structured 8-week program that emphasizes both adaptive riding and peer support activities. The calming nature of horses offers a unique environment for veterans to rebuild trust and foster connections. Participants engage not only in the physical activity of horseback riding but also feel the emotional benefits of equine-assisted therapy.
The inherent qualities of horses — their sensitivity to human emotions, their ability to connect with individuals on an instinctual level, and the soothing electromagnetic fields their powerful hearts emit — create an extraordinary foundation for this therapeutic experience.
Research shows that people experience many physiological benefits while interacting with horses, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, increased levels of endorphins, decreased stress levels, reduced feelings of anger, tension and anxiety as well as improved social functioning and increased feelings of confidence, trust, and patience.
Jackie Egan, a veteran and peer coach for the program, shared that many veterans, herself included, have not only reaped physical benefits but have also found greater peace of mind, contributing to a more profound sense of purpose post-service.
“After the military, the first real sense of home I felt in a long time was when I got to the barn and saddled a horse.”
Equine therapy conveys not only mental health benefits but also physical ones, providing participants with a full-body workout while building strong bonds with the horses. Numerous veterans in the program have achieved remarkable success, surpassing initial expectations by competing in prestigious horse shows across the nation. Just recently, six veteran participants of the program competed in the NSBA World Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with five of them finishing in the top 10.
Since its implementation, the Freedom Reins program has become a crucial component of the support system for veterans grappling with the invisible wounds of service, particularly those struggling with PTSD and anxiety. Over 45,000 veterans call Denton County home, and through the organization’s extensive outreach, they are able to assist veterans and their families in finding various services, including job assistance, peer support groups, clinical counseling, and other mental health services — all available at no cost.
Becca Hobby, community engagement director of the Denton County MVPN and wife of a veteran, can personally attest to the program’s overwhelming success. “When my husband returned from his tour of duty, he struggled with the transition. The goal of our program is to reconnect veterans with each other. For me, as a spouse of a veteran, when I connected with the spouses of other combat veterans, it changed my life.”
Replacing the structure, purpose, and shared sense of duty the military provides remains a tall order for veterans, but fortunately, programs like Freedom Reins are rising to the occasion. The success of the Freedom Reins can hardly be measured by individual efforts. For it truly is made possible through community collaboration.
The partnership between Denton County MHMR, MVPN, and Stable Strides has fostered connections with other like-minded non-profit organizations, such as Riding Unlimited and GallantFew, harnessing resources to provide comprehensive support to veterans throughout North Texas.
Community involvement plays a significant role in the program’s success. There are numerous opportunities for local residents to lend a helping hand, from volunteering at the veterans’ center to teaching specialized classes or assisting in fundraising initiatives such as North Texas Giving Day. Volunteers at Stable Strides are also essential, as their support enriches the experience for participants seeking healing through equine therapy.
Through initiatives like Freedom Reins, Denton County is taking significant strides in addressing the mental health crisis faced by veterans. By connecting those who served our country with healing through equine therapy, the program creates not just a path to recovery but also a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Freedom Reins stands not only as a testament to the transformative healing powers of equine therapy but also of the shared resilience and camaraderie of our veterans.
To learn more, visit the Freedom Reins website.
