On Aftercare: Saratoga War Horse, Part 2

Saratoga War Horse (SWH) recently celebrated the milestone of serving 1000 veterans in its program where off-track Thoroughbreds help veterans overcome the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2018, SWH resumed regular programs in New York through its new partnership with the Rerun Thoroughbred Adoption farm in East Greenbush. SWH now operates in three states: New York, Maryland and South Carolina.

In the first half of our look at Saratoga War Horse, we interviewed Executive Director Allison Cherkosly. She described the nuts and bolts of the three-day program which finishes with each veteran, alone in the round pen with a Thoroughbred, seeking to have the horse connect with him or her.

“We are looking for the chemical reaction that happens in the connection between the veteran and the horse in the round pen,” said Cherkosly. “The Thoroughbred acts as the catalyst… The situation of being in the round pen with the horse is one that will trigger the anxiety and stress responses associated with PTSD. Unless the veteran can take down their energy level and make it through the situation with the tools we give them, they won't connect with the horse.”

For this article, we interviewed two veterans who recently went through the program. Donna Marie Hartley enlisted and served in the late seventies and early eighties. She was sexually assaulted during her service. Some forty years later, triggered by the victims' recounts of sexual assault during the birth of the #metoo movement, her PTSD took control of her life.

“Military Sexual Trauma was not a thing in 1980,” said Hartley. “There was no reporting system in place like there is today. Military Sexual Trauma is caused by many different difficult situations which men and women find themselves in through no fault of their own. The shame prevents most victims from coming forward with their stories. In my case, for 40 years. With no way out and no voice to be heard, symptoms of stress go untreated and multiply.

“The trauma I experienced that caused my PTSD happened in 1980 but was not addressed until the #metoo movement media coverage caused me to have a tsunami of flashbacks. I began trashing my house and all of my belongings and I became suicidal.

“I was fortunate to have my childhood friend listening over the phone to my daily struggle. She suggested I try equine therapy and mentioned Saratoga Warhorse. I asked the doctor treating me at the VA Hospital her opinion and with her recommendation, I signed up and arrived in Aiken, SC on Mar. 19, 2019.”

It is common to hear that veterans feel safe at SWH, the structure of the program being that all of their housing, food and transportation are provided. The novelty of being at a stable and discussing the nature of horses also adds to the experience.

“To be with fellow veterans in a non-sterile environment for therapy was refreshing and restorative,” said Hartley. “At breakfast on the second day every participant said that they had not slept the night before in anticipation of something so foreign to us.

“I recall sitting on the bench waiting my turn to go in the ring with my horse and the tears were pouring out of my eyes. I started pacing and could not be still. I realized at that moment, based on the instructions we had been given, I was going to bond with my horse. For most of my adult life, I had not wanted to bond with anything or anyone because avoidance is a major symptom of PTSD.”

“My turn came and without a word I took the lead of John Barleycorn and he followed me into the ring. When the gate closed, I felt my head rise. My chest followed. Then I felt my feet firmly plant each step I took as if I belonged there. Blood ran through my veins in a way that said 'I got this.' I was in control of which direction I wanted him to go and when I wanted him to stop. Without speaking a word, I had the power to control this massive animal.

“After 10 minutes in the ring, I felt a joy and pride that only comes from great accomplishments. I came out with a glow of satisfaction that I was able to bond and be my best self. I came out of that ring with something I have been lacking too long, self-respect, which can go a very long way in coping with PTSD symptoms. I keep a photo of myself and John Barleycorn close by to remind myself that I felt really good that day which gave me hope for better days.

“After a year and a half of medication, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, prolonged exposure treatments and one-on-one therapy with no positive results I tried equine therapy with the Saratoga Warhorse Program. It was life changing for me and continues to have a positive impact on my life today.”

According to the United States National Guard, Guard and Reserve Units made up 45% of the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Jaime Hierro enlisted in the Army and served from 1980-84. He stayed active in the National Guard and served

18 months in Iraq. He returned and worked full-time for New York Transit.

“I struggled every day with my PTSD,” said Hierro. “But, I never felt I could stop work to get help. I had a family to feed.”

After retiring, Jaime joined group counseling in Anger Management at the VA Hospital. Through the V.F.W. he learned about SWH. He and four other group members attended the SWH program last month and it affected him deeply.

“I always considered myself a city slicker. I never left the city. I certainly was never near horses,” said Hierro. “I was expecting to find a place with horses in bad condition but it was so much different. The horses were big, healthy and we learned that they are like us in many ways.

“The whole situation, out of the city and around animals was really foreign to me and I found it very difficult,” said Hierro. “I had trouble learning how to use the rope. I wanted the connection to happen but I was afraid I couldn't do it.

“When my horse connected with me, I was overwhelmed. I learned how through honest and open communication and hard work I could make things better.

“I have had other difficulties in my life. My brother has cancer and that is very hard on me. I can't fix that, but now I can learn how to deal with it better… I am happy to talk about my experience if it can open the door for my veterans to attend.”

To learn more about Saratoga War Horse, go to www.saratogawarhorse.org or email [email protected].

Diana Pikulski is the editor of the Thoroughbred Adoption Network.