news
CATEGORIES   |   ALL UPDATES   |   SEARCH   |   DONATE

Ignore the neighsayers: equine therapy is a revelation

Bono the horse looked into my soul and taught me a valuable lesson. Now I just need to work on my neediness …

came across a woman near Brisbane who specialised in equine therapy. I wasn’t quite sure what it involved, but I signed up for a session anyway. Phoning home, I told my daughter I was about to share my troubles with a large mammal. “I feel so sorry for that horse,” she said.

The woman was called Megan. Four horses grazed away in her paddock as she explained that as a species they are prey, not predators. So they have developed, of necessity, a keen awareness – a sixth sense, even – of what is around them. That much made sense to me. But she also said they could pick up on your feelings and the experiences that led to those feelings and react accordingly. This I was less sure about, but who knows? What I was sure about was that my biggest concern at this moment was whether the horses would like me. This compelling evidence of my own neediness was profound enough for the whole caper to have already proved its worth.

Megan and I stood quietly looking at them. Soon, a 19-year-old giant called Bono strolled (do horses stroll?) over to us. “He’s the leader of the group,” whispered Megan. “He rarely wants to get involved.” Bono came and stood right next to me, his right eye boring a hole into my soul. “This is really unusual,” said Megan. Yeah, whatever, I mainly thought. But then Bono pressed his head against my chest and rubbed it up and down, right to my knee.

Respecting horse-patient confidentiality, I won’t divulge what further physical and emotional communication passed between us. Suffice to say, I came away knowing more about myself than when I started. And the moment he nuzzled me was something that will stay with me for ever. Furthermore, I later met others who had been for therapy, and they all said Bono wasn’t interested in them. So please don’t for a minute think he does this for all the boys.

Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster, writer and Guardian columnist

Share

More Posts

Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series – Clonmel Show

The Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series reached its halfway stage at the Clonmel Show last Sunday.   Initially pulled in second, UK judges Kevin Lee and Nigel Fuller gave the winning nod to Claire Connors and Creggs Cross in the Open class.  Connors and the three-timed raced Ocovango gelding added to their prize fund

Flatwork & Show Jumping Clinic with Rose Ahern O’Gorman and Gerald Bloomer

Treo Eile is delighted to announce our next clinic taking place at the Ballindenisk, Co Cork with Rose Ahern O’Gorman and Gerald Bloomer. This clinic is kindly sponsored by Randox Health Ireland. This will run across on the 17th July and will commence at 4.30pm. The clinic with cater for thoroughbreds beginning their training right

Flatwork & Show Jumping Clinic with Gerald Bloomer & Tom Walsh

Treo Eile is delighted to announce our next clinic taking place at the Greenogue Equestrian with Gerald Bloomer and Tom Walsh. This clinic is kindly sponsored by Randox Health Ireland. This will run across on the 10th July and will commence at 4pm.  The clinic with cater for thoroughbreds beginning their training right up to the thoroughbred in competition.

CONTACT US

Clarendon

Digby Bridge

Sallins

Co. Kildare

Ireland

Newsletter signup