Military Channel Explores PTSD Treatment In ‘Horse Sense and Soldiers’

September 17, 2010 | by gweiswasser

On Sunday night at 10PM ET/PT, Military Channel will air a one-hour special called Horse Sense and Soldiers, which explores how award-winning horse trainer Monty Roberts works with veterans of the Iraq war to help them with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) they’ve faced upon returning to the U.S. 

Horse Sense and Soldiers introduces viewers to three veterans who are experiencing difficulties interacting with their families and going about their daily lives due to PTSD.  For four days, Roberts, an “American renaissance cowboy” famous for his gentle approach to training horses, worked with the three veterans at his farm in California to help them establish trusting relationships and partnerships with horses. Roberts does not use whips, restraints or physical violence to tame horses, but instead relies on a soft-spoken, nurturing style to send signals through body language while interpreting silent messages from the horse. His goal with the veterans is to help them control their anger, confront painful memories, cope with real-life situations, and move on with their lives and relationships.

Given all of the challenges that veterans face upon re-entry to their civilian lives in the U.S., Military Channel is proud to showcase this special as part of its ongoing salute to our returning troops.

Here is a preview of Horse Sense and Soldiers:

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  • Cltncblondeeagle

    Gayle NARHA which is the therapy riding association in America has a program for military AND first responders called Horses for Heroes. I am willing to feature this organization and its programs on MY show as well.

  • http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com Valleyviewranch

    If you read the credits at the end of the film and read the paper that they showed as to who actually provided the wild untouched horses, you would see Marlene Dodge, Valley View Ranch Equine Rescue. We actually provided both Rasta and Marley for this project. Both of these 2 yr old fillies had been very recently rescued from a slaughter feedlot. That is what we do. We pull seemingly unwanted horses out of the slaughter pens that are destined to Canada for human consumption. We typically rescue est 10 per month and place them with adopters after they are assessed and worked with. We have been sending untouched horses to Monty Roberts training academy for about 3 years now. They have been a great help. I was really proud to provide these horses for this project, for two reasons. One, I have been a firefighter/Police officer on a Military Base for 20+ years and have definately noticed a huge jump in the suicide rate with soldiers returning or even being deployed. And two, I have been providing horses, training, a place to go “be with the horses”, family time, and just plain comfort to soldiers and their families for many years. It is pretty much on a daily basis, that a family or any soldier from the two military bases that are near our place, stops in to “just hang out” with our horses.
    Please take a moment to go to our website or find us on Facebook Valleyview Ranchequinerescue to see what we are doing there.
    I loved the show, the horses are doing great. We actually donated Marley to Joe and I delivered her myself. He is an awesome guy and I would love to meet the other two also. Im just so glad that we could help.
    Marlene Dodge
    Founder/President
    Valley View Ranch Equine Rescue

  • Cpmjstc

    WOW , What an amazing show. How can I lend my exppertise?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000567281269 Sally Apy

    Bravo!!!! Perhaps some of these folks have a point of view on the BLM wild horse murders?

  • http://www.okcorralseries.com Jennifer

    In the latest Equine-Assisted Networker, Greg Kersten (Founder of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) wrote an article about his vision for the rescue of mustangs FROM the BLM to provide caring homes and a purpose to help human mental wellness. From his ranch in Nevada, he also piloted R.A.W. (a program for Reintegration And Wellness) to address the needs of our military – present and past) and their families.
    In an area where all efforts are more than appreciated and valuable, it is great to see a horse trainer get in the “arena” of human wellness too. Good luck, Monty – and thank you sincerely to our vets and their dedicated families!

  • Pegfrontera

    I take riding lessons in Oneonta, New York and my instructor would love to get involved in helping the soldiers coming home. She has a beautiful stable. Who could she get in touch with to offer her services. She has a background in therapeutic riding. Thanks if you can help.

  • http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com Valleyviewranchequinerescue

    Im sorry that it has take so long to get back to you. I have heard of your org. I would really like to talk to you about what you do and how we could work together.
    Marlene Dodge
    Valley View Ranch Equine Rescue

  • http://www.loanpackage.net Fresno Real Estate

    What a great idea. It’s too bad that there aren’t more Monty Roberts around to treat all of the returning veterans suffering from PTSD.

  • Anonymous

    it’s a great tribute for Monty Roberts