Healing in the Wilderness: Why Horses, Fir Trees, Wild Water, Earth, and Sky Are Therapeutic
Max is the bestest boy with the biggest, softest, wisest brown eyes. Like many boys, he sometimes likes to test and tease, but here’s the thing about Max—he is so calm, steady, brave, smart, and kind, he would never think of hurting anyone.
Max is a trail horse at Copper Cayuse Outfitters, and he has taken care of me for over 15 years. He lets me know the exact location of a lurking grouse so that I am not startled when we are ambushed. When something surprises him, he moves away smoothly, making sure not to unbalance me when he changes course. When other people’s horses refuse to cross creeks and streams, Max picks his point of entry and splashes across, bringing all of us safely to the other side. When I don’t know which way to choose at a trail junction, I leave the decision to Max, and he unerringly takes us home.
One day, we were riding a familiar trail when Max suddenly planted his feet and refused to move forward. Later, I discovered that a rotted wooden culvert beneath the trail had collapsed, creating a hidden hazard. On another occasion, I mistakenly chose a poor route through a bog, and Max found himself belly-deep in mud. While I panicked, he calmly found solid ground and got us out. Big love for you, Max—huge.
The Healing Power of Horses
When I am riding Max, my well-being is his job, and he takes it seriously. Horses do that. If you are anxious, they know it. If you are excited, angry, or conflicted, they know that too. As prey animals, their survival depends on being attuned to their environment and the emotions of those around them. Their sensitivity is the foundation of an ancient, enduring bond between people and horses.
Research confirms that horses can synchronize their heart rates with ours even when we are several feet apart. This connection explains why many people find comfort, clarity, and healing in the presence of horses. Whether you’re an accomplished equestrian or someone who admires them from afar, the affinity we share with horses is undeniable.
“Blame it, or praise it, there is no denying the wild horse in us.”
A surprisingly large body of evidence supports the healing abilities of horses. Equine-assisted therapy has been shown to help with conditions such as autism, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and even the physical challenges of aging. Lymphedema, a condition often associated with cancer treatment, responds positively to horseback riding due to the combination of movement and warmth the horse provides.
Believe it or not, physiotherapy on horseback is a recognized practice called hippotherapy. The multidimensional movements of a horse mimic those of the human pelvis, stimulating sensory and motor input to the rider’s nervous system. The rhythm of riding aligns with our own natural movement, creating a powerful, therapeutic experience.
Movement as Medicine
Humans are meant to move. For most of our evolutionary history, walking long distances was a daily necessity. Our ancestors walked an estimated 10,000-18,000 steps per day, and science now confirms that increased step counts correlate to better health and longevity. But in today’s technology-driven world, we move far less than we once did.
Horses offer a natural remedy. They walk at the same pace as humans—3-5 km per hour—creating a rhythm that our bodies recognize. Riding stimulates the same muscles and neural pathways as walking, so much so that Apple watches often count a rider’s steps as if they were their own. In this way, horse and rider move as one, restoring the body’s innate need for motion.
Reconnecting with Nature
While you are riding and feeling the love, take time to study the movements of your horse’s ears, the direction of his gaze, the ripple of his muscles beneath his hide. Inhale his scent and breath. Stroke his mane, pat his shoulder, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ride.
Observe the landscape as you would the face of a lover—up close, without distraction, with reverence for its fleeting beauty. Notice how certain plants form communities—fir, pine, cottonwood, huckleberry, lichen. Listen to the ancient conversation between river and rocks, shaping the land over millennia. Feel the wind, hear the birds, and recognize that this place is not just scenery—it is home for countless lives, including your own.
What we know instinctually has been confirmed by science. There exists three-way communication between plants, animals and their environment because everything on earth is interconnected. Dr. Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley believes everything in nature is alive and has a spirit that must be considered in daily decisions because the wellness of a nation depends on the ability of its people to live disciplined lives in concert with nature.
Humans are but one species of the Animal Kingdom and as such, we are very much part of this web of connection. There is current scientific evidence supporting ancient belief that states of health reflect the degree of equilibrium attained between physical, mental and spiritual functioning of the individual and is ultimately dependent on the life-sustaining capabilities of the environment. Without a healthy environment, we cannot be well. The land is and always has been integral to individual identity, providing a clear sense of place, and a home for the mind and the heart.
Experience It for Yourself at the Women’s Retreat
Most of Copper Cayuse Outfitters’ horses were born here in Lil’wat and N’Quatqua territory, running wild beside their mothers in their early years. For centuries, their ancestors walked this same land, forging the very trails we ride today. This is truly the land of their ancestors.
At our upcoming Women’s Wellness Retreat, you’ll experience firsthand the deep, healing connection between horse and rider. Over four transformative days, you’ll move in harmony with your horse, feeling the rhythmic motion that soothes both body and mind. You’ll breathe in the crisp mountain air, letting the scent of fir and earth ground you in the present moment. You’ll listen to the quiet wisdom of the land—the rush of wild water, the whisper of wind through the trees, the steady hoofbeats carrying you forward.
This retreat is designed to restore you. Whether you seek adventure, healing, or a moment of stillness, the horses, the land, and the sky will hold space for you. Come ride with us. Let the power of movement, nature, and connection guide you home.