Seeking Safety: An Equine Case Study

This case study focuses on a 12-year-old Welsh Section D mare with little known history. She initially presented with a catching problem, but this was fundamentally a fear of close proximity to people, and chronic stress. This presentation would often be addressed through resolving basic welfare needs and subsequent training or behaviour modification. Instead, the treatment approach taken centred around Judith Herman’s Trauma Recovery Model, the first phase of which focuses on establishing physical and emotional safety before any other interventions are considered. Key changes to her environment and social interactions were introduced. Behavioural and physiological signs were used to monitor her levels of stress. Suitable adjustments were made throughout this initial phase when identified. Concerning people, she was given the maximum choice and control possible over interactions in a domestic environment. In the first few months, she was not handled at all. Through creating feelings of safety and control, over time she became curious about people. She can move freely from field to yard and will now choose to leave other grazing horses to interact with humans in the yard area, and can have daily body checks done. Attuned interactions, always attempting to listen to her and meet her emotional needs, have been essential in this case. A transactional (operant conditioning) approach to altering her behaviour was not followed, and progress has been built on solid cooperative foundations.