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Wednesday, January 17 2018 / Published in General

The Man O’ War Project: New Lives for Horses and Veterans

Mclain Ward and HH Carlos Z won the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, presented by the Man O’ War Project, at the 2017 Washington International Horse Show.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

By Britney Grover

Many horse lovers know of the therapeutic nature of being around horses. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) has become more and more popular across the country to help those with physical, mental or emotional challenges. Some organizations have even recognized the efficacy of EAT in veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — a group with tragically high suicide rates — but until now, there has never been a controlled research study on how EAT can help PTSD.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army and someone who bred and owned racehorses for over 50 years, Earle I. Mack realized that establishing EAT programs for PTSD could fill two needs: helping veterans and giving horses, including off-the-track racehorses, second careers. He founded the Man O’ War Project in partnership with top researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and other experts not only to develop a manualized treatment plan for EAT with PTSD but to prove its effectiveness.

Researchers Dr. Yuval Neria and Dr. Prudence Fisher met with many equestrian professionals to determine that equine-assisted therapy for PTSD was worth further research.

Co-directors for research are Dr. Prudence Fisher, associate professor of clinical psychiatric social work at Columbia and research scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Dr. Yuval Neria, Columbia’s professor of medical psychology as well as director of trauma and PTSD at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Working from Columbia and conducting trials in Leonia, New Jersey, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Neria are both passionate about changing the way veterans can receive help.

“I think one of the things that drew us to the project, besides recognizing that other treatments are needed than what’s currently available, was that we both like horses and we both had horses at some point,” Dr. Fisher said. “It made it interesting and appealing, though I don’t think either of us had ever thought about horses in a therapeutic setting before we got involved with this project.”

After being approached by Earle Mack, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Neria began looking into EAT. “The most interesting part of this pre-project inquiry was meeting a number of horse experts that really convinced us that horses can be truly healing for a number of disorders including depression, PTSD and childhood disorders including autism and physical disabilities,” Dr. Neria said. “We were encouraged by what we heard, and there was sufficient initial anecdotal evidence to help us make a decision that a careful examination of the question whether horses can be helpful in PTSD was worthwhile to explore.”

With a team of experts in PTSD treatment, psychiatry, mental health, equine therapy and horse handling, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Neria first created a manualized treatment program and tested it on two groups. “It’s an eight-week program with 90-minute sessions once a week,” Dr. Fisher explained. “Based on those two initial groups, we made some tweaks. Now we’re trying it out in an open trial.”

In groups of three to six veterans with two horses, veterans are guided through interactions with the horse from the ground. The groups are led by mental health professionals as well as horse specialists and experienced handlers, and participants are regularly assessed to track progress. Participation in the open trial is free for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

Perhaps because they are both trying to adjust to second careers, combat veterans and off-the-track Thoroughbreds seem to have a special connection.

“We are part of a medical tradition in which treatment should be validated first, making sure they are safe, acceptable and can be linked to credible results,” Dr. Neria said. “Under this requirement, we put together a protocol in which we assess the severity of the problem that patients with PTSD have before, during and after treatment. We make sure everybody’s getting the same treatment, so we make sure that any results of the treatment are really measurable and can be attributed to the treatment.”

While other EAT programs for PTSD can be helpful to those who have the chance participate, the Man O’ War Project aims for an even bigger change. “Once we have positive results, the data can be publishable and also lead toward changing the way veterans and others with PTSD can receive treatment, such as through the Veterans Administration or the Department of Defense,” Dr. Neria continued. “We’re really hoping that good results will eventually facilitate development in both policy and treatment.”

Dr. Neria and Dr. Fisher expect the research study to last at least another year. Seeded with a grant from the Earle I. Mack Foundation, the Man O’ War Project will continue to be funded both through direct donations and donations through events such as Equestricon in Saratoga, New York, and the Washington International Horse Show. People can also help by referring veterans diagnosed with PTSD who might be interested in participating in the research study to the website. As the first study of its kind, the Man O’ War Project hopes to open the door to new treatment options for those who need it most.

For more information, visit www.MOWProject.org.

Photos courtesy of the Man O’ War Project, unless otherwise noted

 

 

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Tagged under: charity, man o' war project, ptsd, veteran

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
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Don't get caught without your green on today!🍀🍀
 
In today's featured article, we have Jessica Howington, who is dressed for the occasion in her green shirt! Jessica is the Owner/Rider at CrownView Dressage, a Realtor with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, and a Nurse Practitioner! Jessica has been involved with horses since she was a little girl. Everything from bareback to eventing she tried until she found her love for dressage.

Today, she and her family own CrownView Dressage, a 157-acre training, boarding, and breeding facility in Ocala, Florida. Jessica started training and teaching but felt as if her life was still missing something. Until Jessica focused on horses full-time, she didn’t realize how important the healthcare field was to her life. Jessica missed seeing patients and being in the medical field. Jessica is now back to working again as a nurse practitioner while also focusing on training her five competition horses, including her Grand Prix mare Cavalia. 

Jessica feels lucky 🍀 to have two amazing parents who have supported her in all of her endeavors and instilled the importance of work ethic, morals, dedication, and sacrifice. 

You can read all about Jessica and how she's finding fulfillment in her busy lifestyle in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! Click the link in our bio for more 

✳️Tag us in your “lucky” photos for a chance to be featured on our story! Happy st. Patrick’s day everyone!🍀🍀

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, msfullerphotography.com 

#stpatricksday #irish #stpattysday #green #ireland #luckoftheirish #stpaddysday #shamrock #happystpatricksday #lucky #saintpatricksday #leprechaun #stpatricks #stpatrick #kissmeimirish #clover #paddysday #march #potofgold #stpattys #love #beer #guinness #shopsmall #handmade #stpatricksdaydecor #stpatricksdayoutfit #fourleafclover #stpatricksdayparade #luckycharms
Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no Like many equestrians, eventer Devon Tresan is no stranger to balancing a busy schedule. From serving as president of the Pony Club South Region Youth Board to working on her online high school courses and modeling gigs, Devon has nearly every minute of her time planned out. And with her horses right in her backyard in Ball Ground, Georgia, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Devon’s fast-paced lifestyle stems from growing up around her parents’ animal casting business, Animal Casting Atlanta, where they train and provide animals for projects in the film industry. Devon’s parents, Carol and Greg, took her on her first film job at just two weeks old; both parents pushed Devon toward acting when she was younger. While Devon didn’t want to be an actor herself, she did follow in their footsteps with her love of animals, especially horses. 

“My parents’ company has provided animals for ‘The Hunger Games,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Suicide Squad,’ a majority of the Marvel TV shows, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and so many more,” Devon said.

Devon started her equestrian journey when she was 9 years old. Initially, the Tresans bought a flashy gray Welsh pony, I Am Superman, for Devon to take in the hunter ring. However, Superman lived up to his name and proved to be too speedy for the job. 

“He was super cute and just a great little ride,” Devon said, “but he was still a pony! He made me work hard for everything we accomplished together. I was lucky enough to ride with a trainer who did both hunters and eventing, so we were able to switch disciplines pretty easily. Those eventing lessons together kickstarted my love for the sport.”

Read all about Devon and her busy life in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more
@TrDevon Lane Tresan  @Devontresan

📸Photo by Carol Lane Tresan
📸Photo courtesy of Devon Tresan
📸Modeling photo by Sara Hanna, @atlphotos 

#model #fashion #photography #love #style #instagood #photooftheday #beauty #instagram #beautiful #like #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #Sidelinesmagazine
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