The Healing Power of Horses - A New Dimension in Health

Send us Fan MailJulie-Anne GriffithDirector Equi-Scotia CIC and Founder of Balanced Strategy Solutions  Julie-Anne began her working life as a British Horse Society accredited instructor in the mid- eighties when she founded her own successful horse-riding centre whilst still in her teens. A brush with cancer in 2007 provides first-hand experience of the inextricable link between physical and mental health and underpins Julie-Anne’s a clear focus on supporting well-being in individuals and organisations. Since 2011 she has run her own practice as a strategy facilitator, which was launched through requests for support from fellow delegates on the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership programme.   She’s a senior practitioner level business and executive coach, a trainer for Ofsted and SQA accredited Mental Health First Aid qualifications and holds a Diploma in Coaching Supervision from the International Centre for Coaching Supervision. Julie-Anne’s leadership of horse related projects resulted in her receiving numerous awards since 2010 from Horse Scotland, the British Horse Society, Businesswomen Scotland, and Riding for the Disabled. There is evidence that interacting with horses can have a healing effect on humans, including improving mental health, reducing stress, and helping with physical disabilities: Mental healthEquine therapy can help with a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and disordered eating. It can also help with addiction recovery by promoting responsibility, discipline, and self-reflection. StressBeing around horses can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and lower the amount of cortisol (stress hormones) in the body. It can also increase endorphins, which can make people feel good. Physical disabilitiesRiding can help with balance and coordination, and people with conditions like cerebral palsy or those recovering from accidents have reported physical improvements. Other ways that horses can help people heal include: Companionship: Horses can provide companionship and help people create a daily routine Meeting new people: Horses can help people meet new people. Positive memories: For some people, interacting with horses can bring back positive memories and feelings. This podcast allows listeners an exclusive discount on supplements from Unicity, helping to control insulin resistance, gut health, mental health, weight control and type 2 Diabetes, by applying the following link: https://bit.ly/3B7pxT5Support the showMetabolic Wellbeing Without the BS is more than a podcast — it’s a growing global movement challenging outdated health narratives and empowering people to take control of their wellbeing.Launched in March 2024, the podcast has now surpassed 80 episodes, achieved more than 8,000 downloads, reached listeners across 100+ countries and over 1,200 locations worldwide, and has proudly been nominated for the inaugural 2026 Scottish Podcast of the Year Awards.Hosted with authenticity, curiosity, and a passion for meaningful change, each episode brings together world-leading experts, innovators, advocates, and everyday storytellers to explore why metabolic health truly matters. Blending real-life experiences with science-backed insights, the conversations challenge conventional thinking while inspiring listeners to ask better questions about health and longevity.From insulin resistance and gut health to cancer conversations, migraines, mental clarity, sustainable weight management, and the future of preventative healthcare, Metabolic Wellbeing Without the BS creates a space for learning, questioning, and evolving — together.Join the movement. Learn, listen, subscribe, and take action — because your health starts with YOU.Sponsored by Unicity