INTRA-Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association

Healing through Horseback Riding

When Dan* returned home from serving the IDF during Israel’s Second Intifada, friends and family noticed significant changes in his personality. He became depressed and argumentative, experienced intense flashbacks of his time on the battlefield and was unable to sleep. The PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) that afflicted him drove him to isolate himself from those around him.  He remained that way until his psychologist recommended equine therapy.

It was for soldiers like Dan, as well as children and adults with disabilities, that Dr. Anita Shkedi and her husband Giora began their equine therapy program in a bucolic setting in central Israel. Riding and caring for horses builds trust and promotes kindness and positive thoughts in people with PTSD. For those with physical disabilities, riding a horse stimulates muscles untouched by more traditional physical therapy.  Our grant supports therapeutic equine riding for soldiers with PTSD.