We all know things about horses that we just accept, but we don’t totally understand why. More important than that, we don’t really care what is behind what we believe.

I’ve repeated this quote a million times, as most of you have, but we never look into the dynamics of it. I truly still don’t know or understand it, but I do know it’s true.

“There’s nothing so good for the inside of man as the outside of a horse.” In my reading today it says that British Statesman Lord Palmerston is quoted as saying that. I always thought that Winston Churchill had said it. He probably did along with millions of others.

My reading goes on to tell about a father who was concerned about his daughters disheartening semester at college, and a friend who invited her to come and just “brush a horse.” This changed her focus and brought peace to her. She then proceeded to go back to school the next day, relaxed and ready for a fresh start. I’ve done this several times and it really works.

Now we all know that to be true for us. But actually therapists have discovered in treating those struggling with addictions, emotional disorders, physical disabilities and depression for this to really work. “There is something about the nonjudgmental demeanor of a horse that layers a salve of peace on the soul.” My friend Nancy has known this for years, and totally loves working with horses and people.

Having dinner with my friend he said that his son was looking for a name for his practice. (If I’ve told you this before, I’m sorry. I’m old. I tell Bob the same thing over and over again. Usually because I feel it’s important for him to know and remember, and I’m old and senile.) So we were all goofing and coming up with silly names. So I came up with “Loose Horses.” We as horse people, know how they just run wild with no destination in mind when they escape. It’s just one big game of “you can’t catch me.” Well the next day my friend called me and said that his son loved the name and was going to use it. I was only kidding, but he felt that being in Texas, in cattle country, that people would love it. So the name of his practice is Loose Horses Psychiatry. His sign has a horse rearing with a dove above it. People love the name and tell him all the time how appropriate it is. He uses animals to help with his therapy sessions. He’s got quite a number of different animals on his property now. People just bring him animals and tell him that their animal would be perfect to help people. He had to put a stop to the incoming. I think he has more animals than clients.

I’m having dinner with his parents on Monday and I’ll have to tell him that his son needs that quote in the office.

I know that all the contents of this post I’ve mentioned before, but it still baffles me as to why it works. I guess it really doesn’t matter, it just does.

Why? What is it about a horse, just being a horse, that can cause such a big change in us?

A dear friend has a son that is a psychiatrist. He was in the army and dealt with PTSD. He has now moved into a private practice in Texas. One night at dinner