Kelly Jones, the owner of South Wind Equestrian Center in Leander, originally launched her business to offer basic horseback riding lessons, though she now specializes in trauma-focused, equine-assisted psychotherapy.

“I noticed my riding program kids were being affected beyond just learning how to ride a horse,” she said. “They became quieter and more focused during lessons, and their parents would comment on how they were experiencing more success in school and their extracurricular activities.”

Each of the 21 horses at South Wind Equestrian Center was rescued from various circumstances, owner Kelly Jones said.[/caption]

Jones decided to further explore the phenomenon and attended equine-assisted psychotherapy training where she learned the human brain is scientifically affected by horses because of the way they interact with people.

“Their heart rates are 40 beats per minute,” she said. “Ours are between 60 and 90 depending on how stressed we are. Just being in a horse’s presence lowers our heart rate and our blood pressure.”

When clients are in the ring with their selected horse for a session, they work on exercises such as getting the horse to follow them and come to them without a harness, said Brent Shives, co-founder and Jones’ fiance.

“If you’re holding onto [emotions], they can read that and are uncomfortable,” Shives said. “You can’t worry about the past or the future. The horses help people be in the present because they won’t respond otherwise.”

He said clients might not always see instant results in regular therapy sessions, so Shives said their method is effective because clients can physically see their progress in the form of the horse responding to them.

“It’s like mindfulness work but with affirmation and feedback to let you know it’s working,” Jones said. “A lot of people don’t want to go sit in an office and talk about emotions. A lot of children don’t even understand what that means, so this helps therapists get the reluctant people to be vulnerable.”

Jennifer Knight (left) is one of seven therapists at South Wind, which opened in 2004.[/caption]

Jones said if a person is clearly communicating, the horses will respond. Time spent working with the animals teaches a client to get through difficulties calmly.

Future plans for South Wind Equestrian Center include hosting corporate team-building and leadership events out at the ranch. Jones said a psychologist is also planning to bring 30 veterans out to the equestrian center to conduct research.

“The project is to provide scientific proof that equine psychotherapy works for veterans with PTSD,” she said.

South Wind Equestrian Center 15214 Faubion Trail, Leander 512-689-7793 www.southwindequestrian.com Hours: Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.