Horses working in therapeutic riding programs do not experience additional stress

In the United States, therapeutic horseback riding offers equine-assisted therapy to diverse populations, including children and adults who have anxiety disorders. Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder often are prescribed this type of therapy in order to cope with anxiety, but little is known about how these programs affect the stress levels in horses. Now, a University of Missouri study has revealed that horses ridden by veterans with PTSD did not have undue physiological stre