Getting High (Off Your Horse)

They say change is the only thing that stays the same, but as a lifelong horse girl I’m here to challenge that theory. My love for horses has always stayed the same. Through the blue ribbons, the 9pm emergency calls, the nuzzles, the mud, the injuries, and the tears.  My love for horses is the same with the ups and the downs. I bet you know what I'm talking about.

But what is it that we fall in love with? 
What is it that keeps us coming back? 
Is it the freedom of the ride? 
Is it the achievements, the ribbons? 
The teamwork? 
Or is it the smell of fresh shavings or the clip clop of their feet?

Yes, yes, and yes. 

It’s Not Just a Feeling – It’s Science

As a trainer, a yoga therapist, and mental health researcher, I know it’s all those things and more. It's in our bones, and it's also in our minds. We feel something when we're at the stable, but there's science behind it too. When we know how to capitalize on the feel-good benefits of horses, we can make the most of our time at the stable and better manage our stress levels. 

Oxytocin: The Bonding Hormone

"That warm feeling you get when your horse gives you a nuzzle? That’s oxytocin." 

Many of us first fell in love with horses because of the way they made us feel.   What you might not know is your body releases “Happy Hormones” like serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins when you're enjoying time with your horse.  When secreted, these hormones and neurotransmitters promote feelings of wellbeing. The benefits are magnified when it’s a horse you have a close bond with.  That’s when oxytocin (sometimes referred to as the “love hormone”) really kicks in and you feel relaxed, content, and at ease or full of love.  Oxytocin plays a key role in our wellbeing.   It’s even been linked to social bonding, trust, and even pain relief.  That warm feeling you get when your horse gives you a nuzzle? That’s oxytocin.  

Serotonin: Sunshine, Movement, and Mood

Oxytocin isn’t the only natural chemical we can benefit from when we’re with our equine pals. Serotonin stabilizes your mood and plays a role in healthy digestion, sleep, and wound healing.  Exercise and exposure to sunlight has been linked to balanced levels of the hormone serotonin.  Whether you’re riding out in the autumn sunlight or simply bringing in horses, you’ll benefit from the serotonin which helps stabilize our mood and sleep.  When serotonin levels are low you might experience seasonal affective disorder, especially in the autumn or winter months.  

Dopamine: Motivation and the Joy of Progress

Dopamine is another chemical you naturally release.  Think of dopamine as your body’s chemical messengers that can motivate you and influence your thoughts and concentration. Dopamine is released when you meet your goals or learn a new skill, but it’s also associated with past pleasurable experiences.  That means you may even release dopamine when you think back to having fun with your childhood pony or hear a sweet nicker or the chomping of hay or the smell of sweet feed.   When dopamine is released we have a feeling of satisfaction which can motivate us. That probably explains why equestrians are some of the most motivated people I’ve worked with.  Evidence suggests your brain releases dopamine when you meditate, which to me seems to correlate to the meditative state you might reach when you’re cleaning stalls or on a calm trail ride. 

Endorphins: Stress Relief and Natural Painkillers

Finally, endorphins are hormones released in the brain that act as messengers to the body.  Endorphins help boost our mood, reduce feelings of stress, and even act as natural pain killers.  Spending time doing what you love, social bonding, regular physical activity, have all been found to increase healthy endorphin production.  The trick is to slow down and have enough awareness to take in the experience of doing what you love, with the horses you love.      

The Flip Side: When Stress Takes Over

Despite all these positive benefits you can receive at the stable, chronic stress can take a toll on your health.  Stress can affect anyone at any time.  The physical, mental and emotional demands of horse care (time, finances, responsibility etc.) can lead to a decrease in healthy hormone and neurotransmitter production; even in those who are otherwise healthy.  Even though our body has the ability to produce all the happy hormones, chronic stress can create problems with sleep, digestion, chronic pain, low energy, cloudy thinking and, in some cases even social/emotional withdrawal, drug/alcohol use, emotional dysregulation, and even abuse and suicidal ideation.  Unfortunately, we've been seeing some of these extremes show up in the media over the last several years.

Boost Your Happy Hormones

The good news is, while not a replacement for professional help,  we can capitalize on our body’s natural relaxation response and its ability to release “happy hormones”. 

Here are the tips I always recommend to my students to boost natural production of happy hormones:   

Slow down.  At the barn, at home, in business.  When you slow down, you signal to your system that you are relaxed and in a state for happy hormone production.      

Keep a gratitude journal or even list what you are grateful for in your head.

Try different classes to find what suits you/your lifestyle.  Uplevel by working with a teacher who specializes in helping equestrians.

Meditate - Try out a meditation app or sign up for my free practice for equestrians HERE.

Horse ownership can make us feel on top of the world and bring us to our lowest. Sometimes this even happens in a single day, or vet visit. You might fluctuate between worry, frustration, love and calm, but that's normal. The important part is to take steps like the ones above to create balance in your life and get the most out of your barn time. If you’re ever feeling like you need more than mindful barn time to feel your best, make sure to reach out to a professional therapist for support. 

Horses give us so much, and we can give back with our mindful presence, connection, and by seeking support when we need it.  

Learn more at:

Kristen Kolenda Yoga