LostInTheFog, Since this is a bit astray from the thread, I originally tried to figure out a way to send it as a private message to you, but I cannot figure it out, how to do that. Yes, I have horses, and yes, when I'm stressed out they are there to save the day for me. I jokingly told a friend that having them is cheaper than a therapist. But I don't know of anything that could give me that deep inner sense of peace that they do. They have a way of dealing with the world that is so much more direct than we humans do, and being with them has always helped me reach a deeper sense of inner peace that is impossible to explain. Being with them helps me be mindful of the moment in a way that I've only achieved otherwise through deep meditation. But being with them gets me out in the sunshine (or the snowstorm) and helps me feel mindful about nature and my place in the world in a way that I've never achieved through meditation. So, in short, they help me regain balance when it is most needed.

To keep it on topic, at least a little, I think that Carers need to de-stress sometimes. It is very important to do so, to keep your balance and your sense of self intact. When the person you love is going through a bad time and seems angry or depressed for reasons you cannot begin to fathom, and you hurt too, it is so hugely helpful to have something in your life to turn to that helps you regain a sense of peace. For me, that is horses (and also meditation). I am not a PTSD sufferer, but my guy is. He too gets great satisfaction in working with the horses and dogs. I think the animals are therapeutic for both of us. Cowgirl

Cowgirl once you come out of moderation you will be able to send PM's. I have asked Anthony to take you out of moderation (as I can't) as your posting seems fine. If you try now you should be able to contact April.

I have also moved this topic to it's own thread.

Thank you, Nicolette!

Wow, Cowgirl, that brought tears to my eyes... that is exactly it, you said it perfectly.
Thank you. : ] I would love to know more about your horses and riding. I will say more when I am not so emotional, right now I am nearly speechless that someone here 'gets it'. :`]

I would love to share with everyone here about a new therapy involving horses, it is recommended for a host of disorders, PTSD included, and for kids and adults. We are thinking of trying this w/the oldest stepson, as we are at a deadend with him.

I am going now to see my horse Zevon, and when I return to the forum I will explain it in more detail. Horses not only built this country, but civilization itself, and I have spent the last almost 2 yrs fighting their inhumane slaughter in the US for human consumption overseas. Very, very, emotional and maybe not best for me to have gotten so involved
with, but after learning about the practice there was no way I could turn away and not be a part of the other thousands of people going up against the Gov and big money, and basically being ingnored, about this that for the last 10 yrs the others have been fighting. People just didn't know, but they know now! It is now my commited cause to see through. I will tell you more privately if you want to know, or don't know, it could be very upsetting to anyone, mush less PTSD sufferers.

Things are going much better than David, I just freaked when he told me he had given up without ever beginning to really try to understand. But neither can I understand what it is like for him to work 2 jobs every day of the week but one, which is a big part of the strain between us, but it is a necessity for us to survive. He did take the last week and this week off to be here at night to buffer some of the screaming and violence of the children from me, thank him and thank God! I do recognize that as a form of support, yay! But I am still 'in it' and hearing it, etc..
I think he is ready, and would rather be, LOL, back on the second job! Then it will all be back on me, so I have to be really strong and tolerant, but not complacent for a moment. Very hard for 'me'. You see, I ma both a 'carer' of reactive attachment sufferers, and then a sufferer myself of PTSD & MDD [major depressive disorder. So I have some vison of it from both sides.

I am taking care of the barn where I board for the next couple of days, which I think I will find very cathartic.

Thank you so much for your post Cowgirl, and for this thread. It does me a world of good to know someone understands the incredible value of these animals, and your words surely give great explaination to all others here.

I can't wait to tell more about the therapy, are we allowed to post links, anyone?

all the best~
april

April, you can but there are rules in how to do it - I don't have time but ask Anthony or better still, it is in the editorial policy.

Cowgirl, you just opened my eyes. After my husband died, I bought a horse. It wasn't my first horse, but it was the first horse since my teens back in the dark ages. And I believe that horse spared me from falling apart even more than what I felt after my loss. That and poultry. I had started dabbling with poultry with my husband but after he died, that blossomed into nearly a full-time operation with nearly 500 hens at its peak. Now that I think about it, when my physical limitations kicked in and I could no longer bend over to collect eggs much less pour bags of feed into the trough is likely what triggered my confusions.

That's a huge help cowgirl! Oh and congratulations :)