Mental Health Awareness Month For Equestrians
- Kristen Kolenda
- May 21
- 4 min read
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and serves as a way to educate, raise awareness, and reduce stigma around mental health.
Mental Health America reports 46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and that does not exclude equestrians. While anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental illnesses in the U.S., depression, suicidal ideation, personality disorders, trauma & PTSD are just some of the many other mental health conditions equestrians may experience.
As a mental health researcher, horse trainer, and yoga therapist who works with equestrians, I’m privileged to observe the ups and downs of physical and mental health among equestrians. Our horses and equestrian lifestyle can certainly boost our mental health and resilience to chronic stress, but by the same token can create stress or stoke the stress we are already feeling. The work/life balance, money and time commitment involved, as well as the fear, worry and sadness that can come with having such a close bond and love for horses can be very taxing for equestrians.
Many of us first fell in love with horses because of the way they made us feel. By simply being around animals, in nature, and doing something you love, your body will begin to release “Happy Hormones” like serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. When secreted, these hormones promote feelings of wellbeing.
Add on the fact that equestrians aren’t simply in contact with just any animal, but often ones they have a close bond with, and we know that oxytocin (sometimes referred to as the “love hormone”) is at play. This hormone plays a key role in our wellbeing, and has been linked to social bonding and experiences of love and trust. That warm feeling you get when your horse gives you a loving nuzzle, or approaches you for a bonding moment? That’s oxytocin at work. Exercise and exposure to sunlight has been linked to balanced levels of the hormone serotonin. This hormone stabilizes mood and plays a role in healthy digestion, sleep, and wound healing. When the sun hits you on the way to bring your horse in from the pasture, rest assured the release of serotonin is in some way benefiting your health and wellbeing.
Dopamine, like serotonin, is both a hormone and neurotransmitter. Naturally released from cells in your brain, think of these as your body’s chemical messengers that influence thoughts, motivations, and the ability to concentrate and learn. Often associated with feelings of satisfaction, pleasure, or accomplishment, we can assume dopamine is released when we meet a riding goal or learn a new skill, or even when we hear the sound of horses chomping on hay or the smell of sweet feed when associated with past pleasurable experiences. You’re likely experiencing a dopamine release when you meet a riding, personal, or business goal, or even when you get the stalls completed in time to meet your friend for brunch. When dopamine is released, we have a feeling of satisfaction. It plays a key role in motivation and pleasure, and I think it’s our love of horses and social bonding that make equestrians some of the most motivated people I’ve ever worked with. Evidence suggests our brain releases dopamine when we meditate, which makes me wonder if a calm, relaxing trail ride or other similar experience may do the same.
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 painkillers. Spending time doing what you love, social bonding, regular physical activity, and yoga have all been found to increase healthy endorphin production.
Now that you know how riding and simply being in the presence of horses can have positive effects on your mental health, it’s important to remember that chronic stress (stress experienced long term over weeks/months or years) can still take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional help despite all the benefits mentioned previously.
Stress, coined the “Epidemic of the 21st Century,” can affect anyone at any time, and has been linked to poor mental and physical health. The physical, mental and emotional demands of running an equestrian business, living through a pandemic, rising costs, the responsibility of horse care and/or raising a family can lead to a decrease in healthy hormone and neurotransmitter production; even in those who are otherwise healthy. Chronic stress can lead/is linked to 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.
While not a replacement for professional help, we can capitalize on our bodies natural relaxation response and its ability to release “happy hormones”.
Slow down: At the barn, at home, and in business. Rushing is a missed opportunity to savor the experience and absorb the benefits of happy hormones.
Gratitude: Create a mental list sometime during the day or keep a gratitude journal.
Yoga: Try different classes to find what suits you and your lifestyle.
Meditate: Learn from an experienced instructor or check out free apps like Insight Timer to get started with guided relaxation practices. You can even find Kristen’s “Gratitude Practice for Equestrians” there.
Reach out: Work with a professional therapist that may look like a psychiatrist, psychologist, yoga therapist, or other therapist depending on your needs and goals.
Always remember: When in crisis, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by dialing 988.
Kristen Kolenda, C-IAYT
Kristen Kolenda Yoga
Kristen is a horse trainer, yoga therapist, and mental health researcher. She’s spent the last 15 years working with equestrians to improve their riding and horsemanship through yoga and over tried and true techniques. She works with group and 1:1 clients to address riding and wellness blind spots both virtually and in person. Check out her website (www.kristenkolendayoga.com) and sign up for her newsletter for inspiration, insight, and updates. She offers challenges, memberships, live online classes and in-person workshops for equestrians. Follow her @equitation.education.
This article is from the May issue of Equine Business Magazine
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