On a blustery, end-of-February day, I fulfilled a client request to take photos of seven horses. Despite the cold wind, the sun was bright in the paddocks. I am sharing a few of the images in this blog post.
These weren't just any horses. The horses at Equines for Freedom offer hope, life and healing to those that have experienced trauma.
I had arrived at Equines For Freedom (EFF) not knowing much about the organization. After my session in the fields, and meeting the gentle horses that wander the sloping landscape, I did some homework to learn more about EFF's work.
Veterans and First Responders
Organized as a non-profit, EFF uses equine therapy to help those affected by Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). No matter the cause of the trauma, the therapy program relies on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help treat PTSD.
Typical clients are active or former military individuals and/or first responders. Here is a quick promotional video for the organization.
These weren't just any horses. The horses at Equines for Freedom offer hope, life and healing to those that have experienced trauma.
I had arrived at Equines For Freedom (EFF) not knowing much about the organization. After my session in the fields, and meeting the gentle horses that wander the sloping landscape, I did some homework to learn more about EFF's work.
Veterans and First Responders
Organized as a non-profit, EFF uses equine therapy to help those affected by Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). No matter the cause of the trauma, the therapy program relies on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help treat PTSD.
Typical clients are active or former military individuals and/or first responders. Here is a quick promotional video for the organization.
The therapy offered at EFF is a partnership between a licensed mental health professional, a certified equine specialist, and a therapy horse. This partnership works to help mediate emotional issues that may have been caused by stressful and frightening experiences.
The horses of EFF are an important link in the equation. Because horses are prey animals, they are sensitive to their surroundings and those that interact with them. A horse reacting to a client's emotional state, helps the client to identify in themselves, the level of their emotions at the time of the interactions, helping the client stay grounded.
What's In A Name
As with any of my sessions, I look to find out the name of the animal I am photographing. While the horses of Equines for Freedom do have barn names, I quickly learned those names are there for staff interactions and communications. What I found to be a fantastic fact: clients are asked to name the horse they are assigned to for the length of their treatment program. Can I say how much I love this? I. LOVE. THIS.
The horses of EFF are an important link in the equation. Because horses are prey animals, they are sensitive to their surroundings and those that interact with them. A horse reacting to a client's emotional state, helps the client to identify in themselves, the level of their emotions at the time of the interactions, helping the client stay grounded.
What's In A Name
As with any of my sessions, I look to find out the name of the animal I am photographing. While the horses of Equines for Freedom do have barn names, I quickly learned those names are there for staff interactions and communications. What I found to be a fantastic fact: clients are asked to name the horse they are assigned to for the length of their treatment program. Can I say how much I love this? I. LOVE. THIS.
"Gray" and "Spirit" are the working barn names of these two EFF friends.
Who Rescued Whom?
Truly one of those conundrums--each horse has its own story, some coming from rescue situations and others from questionable circumstances. The horses are not ridden, so their age does not matter, and any infirmities that might make them unrideable are quickly forgiven.
Truly one of those conundrums--each horse has its own story, some coming from rescue situations and others from questionable circumstances. The horses are not ridden, so their age does not matter, and any infirmities that might make them unrideable are quickly forgiven.
"Sundance" was passed to a rescue after losing her owner to cancer.
Personal Experiences
My own years of taking part in equine rescue, have given me a deep respect for those who welcome horses into their world from rescue situations. It's not always easy to heal their mind, soul and heart, depending on what they've had to deal with in their own existence up to the point of rescue.
The fact that EFF is not only healing them, but that the horses, in turn, are helping to heal others, is a thing of beauty.
From 2000 onward, we have housed three rescues on our own farm (over the years we owned six horses in total). They, much like the horses at Equines for Freedom, came with their own stories, a little bit of baggage, and a will to just stay in one place, be loved and treated with patience.
There is nothing quite like the relationship and bonding that a human can experience with a horse, and there is nothing like a horse to heal a human's heart.
I am thankful to have met the magnificent seven of EFF. After finalizing their photos for the group, I took one of Spirit's images and created an artistic rendering.
My own years of taking part in equine rescue, have given me a deep respect for those who welcome horses into their world from rescue situations. It's not always easy to heal their mind, soul and heart, depending on what they've had to deal with in their own existence up to the point of rescue.
The fact that EFF is not only healing them, but that the horses, in turn, are helping to heal others, is a thing of beauty.
From 2000 onward, we have housed three rescues on our own farm (over the years we owned six horses in total). They, much like the horses at Equines for Freedom, came with their own stories, a little bit of baggage, and a will to just stay in one place, be loved and treated with patience.
There is nothing quite like the relationship and bonding that a human can experience with a horse, and there is nothing like a horse to heal a human's heart.
I am thankful to have met the magnificent seven of EFF. After finalizing their photos for the group, I took one of Spirit's images and created an artistic rendering.
I am happy to know we have an organization in our local area dedicated to helping our veterans and first responders through Equine-Assisted EMDR. I am thankful I was able to meet and photograph these lovely horses.
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