MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines and sailors from Camp Pendleton’s Combat Logistics Regiment-1 showed their appreciation to horses whose unique gift, gives hope to veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, May 13.
During the service members’ visit to the Pegasus Rising Project Ranch, they helped uncover old paths to the ranch, cleaned stables, repaired fencing, groomed horses and also spent some one-on-one time getting to know the animals.
“What these horses do and how they do it means so much to us,” said Pfc. Nick Godfrey, vehicle mechanic, CLB-1, Camp Pendleton. “Whether they know it or not, they help injured veterans in a way no one else can, this is just our way of saying thank you for all their help.”
The Pegasus Rising Project’s mission is to help rebuild the trust and confidence of veterans and local San Diegans suffering from PTSD or a traumatic brain injury through interaction with the undomesticated Polish Arabian horses.
President and CEO Gary Adler said that because horses are deeply sensitive to human emotion, they make perfect partners for combat veterans, whose psychological wounds often run deep.
“Since these horses were found in the wild, their trust for humans is very fragile,” said Adler. “The [Polish Arabian] horse is unique, in that they are naturally prey animals and their very survival depends on a heightened sense to smell, sound and movement, characteristics seen from those who are dealing with PTSD.”
During the healing sessions, attendees build trust with the wild horses by slowly approaching them, petting them and calmly soothing the 1,000-pound animal with a low voice.
“Naturally, a wild horse will choose flight instead of fight when encountering something they are not familiar with,” said Adler. “If they decide to come up to you and let you touch them that means they trust you and are confident in that you are there to cause them no harm.”
As the trust and bond between man and horse develops throughout the sessions, so does their friendship.
Toward the conclusion of the session, veterans eventually are able to muzzle the horses and guide them through various obstacles, a feat only displayed when the horse has complete trust, said Adler.
“The Pegasus Rising Project is here to let veterans know that it’s ok to let go and trust someone even when you’re scared,” said Adler. “If veterans can see an animal whose fear of the unknown is key to their survival, trust a stranger, they themselves too will build confidence and become one step closer to recovery.”