Research suggests significant benefits from simply being in the presence of a horse, including improving heart rate variability, relaxation, and emotional responding and regulation. The benefit from being in the presence of a horse does not even require physical interaction, as horses regularly communicate with each other and with humans at a distance. The physical proximity of a horse demonstrates a stress-moderating effect on those who are not fearful of horses. For survival, equine brains prioritize immediate action and process of emotion over thought, and do not have a prefrontal cortex for evaluation of emotions or reasoning ability to plan action. Incredibly sensitive to body language, emotions, attention, and even intention, horses are built to experience emotion and stay attuned to their herd mates for safety. Having 17 distinct facial movements of their own, they can recognize human facial expressions even in photographs. This brain “creates an emotional but non-judgmental animal who mirrors human attitudes. For this reason horses excel at teaching people assertiveness, emotional awareness, and social responsibility” (Jones, J. Horse Brain, Human Brain, 244.) “In research the physical proximity of a horse demonstrates a stress-moderating effect on those who are not fearful of horses. Specifically regarding heart rate variability (HRV), “there was a cumulative significant improvement in HRV among study participants across horse human interactions (HHIs). As well as an indicator of improved health, improved HRV has been associated with adaptive emotional responding (Grossmann et al., 2016) and emotion regulation (Burg et al., 2012). Relaxation and emotional regulation are a fundamental part of psychotherapy and have a robust effect on hyperarousal and anxiety problems (Tolin, 2016). Time spent with a horse at liberty without undertaking specific tasks may help to relax and calm otherwise anxious clients more than in the same context without a horse. Ecker, Saan and Lykins, Amy (2019) "Effects of Short-Term Human-Horse Interactions on Human Heart Rate Variability: A Multiple Single Case Study," People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice: Vol. 2 : Iss. 1, Article 2. Available at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol2/iss1/2