The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Behavioral Health Program recently hosted a workshop on the therapeutic benefits of using horses for healing on reservations in Montana. Insight Equine Assisted Wellness, a consulting company, aims to improve the health and wellness of individuals and families by using horses to help them regain relationships and overcome struggles with addiction and trauma.
Trainers shared personal stories of loss and trauma, highlighting the healing power of horses in their own lives. The goal of the training is to create healing experiences that foster vulnerability and presence, emphasizing the importance of trust and safety in the relationship between participants and horses. The trainers travel around the United States, focusing on assisting tribal members and integrating horses into trauma and addiction recovery.
The cultural significance of horses in Native American communities was emphasized during the training, with participants planning to take the knowledge back to their communities to help heal from past traumas and addictions. Spotted Bull Recovery Resource Center plans to start its own equine therapy program, but needs funding to build a barn for the horses. Trainers and participants alike have experienced the transformative power of horses in healing and inspiring hope for the future.
