Communication Beyond Words
“Catherine sits calmly and waits. She knows not to rush things as she opens herself up to the experience. In a calm and kind tone, she says, “I love you. I love you. You’re my best friend.”
That’s when Prissy perks up. The graceful chestnut mare walks directly to Catherine for a little hands-on love. It’s a weekly ritual between close friends who speak without words.
Catherine calls this a highlight of living at The Hacienda at the River® in Tucson, Arizona. While she’s social and active every day, nothing beats time spent with Prissy. It helps her live in the moment and stay connected to her roots.
I was brought up in the country,” Catherine says. “There were always animals around. I had the good fortune of loving animals.”
She remembers a neighbor who had horses. One day he asked little Catherine if she wanted to ride. That’s all it took.
“I’ve loved horses ever since. All other animals, too. But Prissy is a special friend.”
Research Chimes In
The connection that Catherine feels with horses is not uncommon. It’s an area of focus and personal passion for physiology professor Ann Baldwin, PhD, at the University of Arizona. She had studied communication between humans and horses, and wondered if the interaction might be particularly significant for older adults.
“Seniors run a higher risk of being isolated and depressed on their own,” she says, adding that she had particular interest in people with memory issues. “We study the impact of their interactions with horses.”
Dr. Baldwin enlisted undergraduate students for this research project. They brought together seniors living at The Hacienda at the River and two horses that visit weekly from nearby stables. The experience is called In the Presence of Horses, and it doesn’t require riding or any equestrian skills. Rather, it’s about nonverbal communication and trust.
“Horses are always in the present,” Dr. Baldwin explains. “They are prey animals, not predators, so they’re always aware of their surroundings and are drawn toward people who feel safe and gentle.”
Breathing slowly and exuding calm can be enough to attract a horse. During a typical session, one person at a time initiates contact by expressing gentle, welcoming thoughts without words. An interested horse will approach in a moment of mutual choosing. It’s okay then to put out a hand and stroke its body. This “mindful grooming” soothes both horse and human.
To gauge the connection and impact of this interaction, Dr. Baldwin’s team measures heart rate variability. “Slight variations in heart rate are a good sign,” she says. “It indicates that someone’s paying attention.”
“We’ve seen improved heart rate variability when people engage with horses,” Dr. Baldwin says. “We measured the horse’s heart rate variability, too, which frequently syncs with the person’s.”
Dr. Baldwin points out that horses can be sensitive to individual feelings. She remembers a man who was recuperating after a serious foot injury. He’d been afraid of horses ever since a childhood trauma. He decided to confront his fear in this safe environment. A horse soon approached him, lowered its head, and nuzzled his wounded foot.
Engaging with horses can also have lasting effects on communication. “One woman with memory issues had stopped communicating verbally,” she says. “After connecting with horses, she started talking again. She got her words back.”
Joy & Serenity
In addition to science-based studies, the presence of horses at The Hacienda at the River is a delight for everyone. Once a week, you’ll see Prissy and Herman led through the courtyards and stopping to visit. It’s hard not to smile when these gentle giants are in the house. Catherine, who was a music professor for many years, feels we can all learn from them.
“For me, being with the horses is like part of being a teacher,” she says. “But I didn’t teach them anything. They taught me.”
