Healing with horses: can equine therapy help first responders overcome trauma?

This study tested whether Equine Assisted Learning—a therapy where participants work with horses under guidance—could reduce trauma symptoms in public safety personnel like firefighters, police, and paramedics. Forty trauma-exposed first responders from Saskatchewan were assigned to either receive the 8-week horse therapy program immediately or be placed on a waitlist for comparison. Researchers measured changes in PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, sleep, and other mental health factors to see if the horse interactions provided meaningful relief.