Why does therapy with horses work?

They have a natural healing power that has been proven effective in physical, mental, and emotional therapy.  Aside from the innate power and healing energy that horses possess, interacting with them has other logical benefits.  We often see changes when people spend some simple, quiet time with a horse. 
     Horses are big... some more so than other!  Often, they are intimidating.  Because of this, interacting with a horse immediately challenges issues of fear and confidence in people.  Horses will immediately sense and respond to a person's negative emotions and behaviors.  in doing so, the horse acts as a  mirror to the person.  For instance, a frustrated person can quickly cause his/her horse to become equally frustrated.  This forces people to be accountable for their emotions, and to recognize the effects that their behavior can have on others. 
     Horses are honest. unlike humans, horses have no hidden agenda.  Therefore, horses do not lie, nor do they hesitate to tell it like it is.  Horses do not respond to poor cummunication, manipulation, bullying, or passive'aggressive behavior.  In being a successful horseman, controlled and effective body language is essential, forcing students to be aware of their methods of communication.  People must problem solve when their methods are not producing the desired response. (Isn't the definition of insanity trying the same thing over and over but expecting a differant result?)
      Horses often provide the best therapy for people.  They are honest, thus forcing people to be accountable for their actions.  A persons actions shall be rewarded, in a positive or negative way, by the horse.  Unlike humans, horses do not have any preset standards of judgment.  They react simply to what is happening and how they feel.  Horses can help people build important relationship skills.For most people, working with the horse is a huge issue of trust.  The trust that a person develops through its time with horses can form a model for other relationships.  Successful work with the horse requires positive, assertive body language and decisive cues.  Through this, people learn excellent communication skills, empathy and patience.
    By working with, and around horses, people build confidence as they learn how to work through fear, and towards goals.  The feeling of success is euphoric.  Achieving success with a horse is even better.  Experiencing the natural high of working with these remarkable animals and achieving goals can give the person the confidence to look for that same high in other areas of their lives, leading to positive goals and dreams.