p class="MsoNormal">Horses, Veterans, and Overcoming Obstacles
When a horse stops at a creek crossing or freezes at the sight of an unfamiliar bridge, natural horsemanship trainer Nancy Slater doesn’t force the issue. She slows down, encourages patience, and helps the animal build confidence step by step. It’s the same philosophy she believes can help veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)…and why she is creating a companion guide to her book, How to Do Trail Obstacles with Horses, tailored to the struggles of PTSD.
“I realized the things I was teaching horses were the same things people with PTSD go through every day,” Nancy said in an interview. “A horse has to trust, stay calm, and take things one step at a time. Veterans face those exact same invisible obstacles in their daily lives.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, between 11% and 20% of post-9/11 veterans live with PTSD in a given year. Symptoms can range from nightmares and flashbacks to hyper-vigilance and isolation, and traditional treatments don’t always reach everyone. That’s where Slater believes her project can help bridge the gap.
For Air Force veteran Jeff Rosa, the idea resonates deeply. “Sometimes just going to the grocery store feels like crossing an old bridge,” he explained. “Seeing those obstacles broken down the way Nancy does for horses gives me hope that veterans can use the same techniques to move forward.”
Mental health professionals say this kind of parallel can make a difference. Norman Bissel, LMHC, a qualified supervisor and counselor who works with trauma survivors, noted that equine-assisted approaches offer powerful lessons. “Working with horses creates immediate feedback,” he said. “If you approach with anxiety or force, the horse resists. If you approach with calmness and patience, the horse responds. That’s a direct mirror for veterans learning to manage PTSD.”
Bissel added that supplemental guides like Nancy’s could be valuable tools alongside counseling or support groups. “We need creative, accessible approaches that veterans can pick up and apply right away,” he said. “Nancy’s book could be one of those resources.”
In conjunction with her veteran partners, Nancy hopes to launch the companion book with community events that bring veterans together at her “Cowboy Camp” ranch. “It’s not just about horses,” she said. “It’s about giving veterans a way to face obstacles with patience and courage, one small step at a time.”
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