I have read the same stories you have, and it's intriguing.
Not sure how to conduct a double-blind study, though. I agree that horses and other animals do adapt to us. And who am I to argue with Hippocrates?
If nothing else, leaving home, going to a stable and seeing something new, such as a barn and horses is good stimulation. Add fresh air and some exercise. The benefits of the last two are known.
I am fortunate to live a few steps from my horse barn - I can see, hear and talk to the horses from my kitchen window. We are in constant, mostly nonverbal, communication as I carry out my chores, from splitting wood to carrying water, hay and shavings from the basement or storage shed to the barn and manure bags to the dumpster. I get my exercise and my grounding & sanity from the horses. When people ask me about the expense of having horses, my answer is "it's cheaper than psychotherapy" and should add "plus a gym membership".
I have read the same stories you have, and it's intriguing.
Not sure how to conduct a double-blind study, though. I agree that horses and other animals do adapt to us. And who am I to argue with Hippocrates?
If nothing else, leaving home, going to a stable and seeing something new, such as a barn and horses is good stimulation. Add fresh air and some exercise. The benefits of the last two are known.
I am fortunate to live a few steps from my horse barn - I can see, hear and talk to the horses from my kitchen window. We are in constant, mostly nonverbal, communication as I carry out my chores, from splitting wood to carrying water, hay and shavings from the basement or storage shed to the barn and manure bags to the dumpster. I get my exercise and my grounding & sanity from the horses. When people ask me about the expense of having horses, my answer is "it's cheaper than psychotherapy" and should add "plus a gym membership".