Evidence & Outcomes

MRI Evidence: Horses Change the Traumatized Brain

Prof. Yuval Neria, Columbia University, 2021

After 8 sessions with horses, MRI scans showed measurable positive brain changes in veterans with PTSD.

• • Brain regions controlling fear and stress began functioning more normally.
• • Trauma-overloaded regions showed reduced hyperactivity.
• • Greatest brain improvement correlated with greatest PTSD symptom reduction.

This is not emotional relief. This is physical healing — measurable, reproducible, and backed by neuroscience.

Open Trial: 63 Veterans, Significant PTSD Reduction

Fisher, P.W. et al., 2021 — Open trial of equine-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD

A structured open trial with 63 veterans showed significant, clinically meaningful PTSD symptom reduction across all participants.

Meta-Analysis: 22.6% PTSD Score Reduction Across Studies

2024 meta-analysis — equine-assisted therapy for PTSD (22 studies)

Analysis of 22 studies found a 22.6% average reduction in PTSD symptom scores among participants in equine-assisted therapy programs.

Adolescents: Equine Therapy and Trauma Recovery

Bachi, K., 2012 — Equine-facilitated psychotherapy with at-risk adolescents

Foundational study demonstrating equine therapy effectiveness in adolescent trauma populations — directly applicable to the Yes Day children's program.