Healing with horses: fostering recovery from cancer with horses as therapists

Explore (NY). 2006 May;2(3):264-8. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2006.03.013.

Abstract

Nearly 10 years ago, I looked at a poster exhibit for a nonprofit organization's camping experience for cancer survivors. One of the images in particular remains with me to this day. It was of an elderly man wearing a cowboy hat and the great grin on his wrinkled face as he stood next to a beautiful sorrel horse. The woman at the poster told me the story behind the picture: The man had advanced cancer and had already entered a hospice program, even though he was still physically active. He'd told many people that his biggest regret in life was that he'd never gotten to ride a horse. The photograph was taken the day his wish to ride had finally come true, and he died only weeks later. At that moment, I started thinking about how to describe the benefit the equine experience had given that man. A growing number of experiential programs offer cancer survivors, primarily children, the opportunity to ride horses as one of many recreational activities. But, that man had experienced something that surpassed a momentary recreational thrill. That started a quest that, after 10 years, is coming to fruition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Animals
  • Attitude to Health
  • Holistic Health
  • Horses*
  • Hospice Care / organization & administration*
  • Human-Animal Bond*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / rehabilitation*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Sick Role