Metaphorse Growth & Healing Center

(970) 249-1821

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    • Home
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Herd
    • Horse Rescue
    • Programs
    • Events
    • The Science
    • Support Our Mission
Metaphorse Growth & Healing Center

(970) 249-1821

  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Meet the Herd
  • Horse Rescue
  • Programs
  • Events
  • The Science
  • Support Our Mission

Interacting with horses increases oxytocin levels, the "bonding hormone," by up to 70%


Medical Research Study by Beetz et al., 2012

The Science of Equine Healing: More Than Just Horse Sense

A HEALING SANCTUARY BUILT ON SCIENCE

At Metaphorse, our approach isn't just based on intuition—it's backed by cutting-edge scientific research. Here's how the power of equine healing is supported by hard data: 

THE HEART-BRAIN CONNECTION

Research from the HeartMath Institute reveals:

  • The heart's electromagnetic field is 60 times greater in amplitude than that of the brain. 
  • This field can be detected up to 3 feet away from the body. 


What this means for Equine Healing:
Horses, with their large hearts, generate a powerful electromagnetic field. When you interact with a horse, your own heart rhythms can synchronize with theirs, promoting emotional regulation and stress reduction. 

HORSES AS BIO-EMOTIONAL SENSORS

Studies have shown: 

  • Horses can detect human emotions and respond accordingly (Smith et al., 2016).
  • In one study, horses' heart rates synchronized with those of human participants during grooming sessions (Gehrke et al., 2018). 


Metaphorse in Action:
Our equine partners often approach areas of a client's body where they're experiencing pain or emotional blockages, demonstrating their innate ability to sense and respond to human biofields. 

QUANTIFIABLE BENEFITS OF EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY

Research indicates that equine-assisted interventions can lead to: 

  1. A 67% reduction in cortisol (stress hormone) levels (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2019).
  2. Significant improvements in social functioning and a decrease in isolation for individuals with autism (Gabriels et al., 2015).
  3. A 63% decrease in PTSD symptoms among veterans after just six weeks of equine therapy (Johnson et al., 2018). 


Our Impact:
At Metaphorse, we've observed similar transformations, with clients reporting reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced social connections. 

WHY IT MATTERS: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Ongoing research continues to validate what we at Metaphorse have known intuitively.  As Jody Nixon, our Founder and Executive Director likes to say: "The science is clear: the horse-human connection is a powerful tool for healing and growth. At Metaphorse, we're harnessing this power to transform lives, one heartbeat at a time." 

At Metaphorse, we're not just practitioners—we're part of a growing field that's revolutionizing our understanding of healing and human-animal connection. By participating in and contributing to our programs, you're not only investing in your own well-being but contributing to the advancement of this vital area of scientific study. 

Explore our Programs

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Our Partners

  • Horse Rescue
  • E3
  • Hippotherapy
  • EFL

Metaphorse Growth & Healing Center

(970) 249-1821

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