More is more!
For our horses, we focus on what we wish to see more of-
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... more space and more diversity within it, more company, more access to food and more of the right kind, more reason for movement, more freedom to be themselves...
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Our philosophy is quite simple:
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- to provide a decent quality of life to our horses
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- to keep educating ourselves and others on how to do so
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- to share all the gifts these animals bring into our lives
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- and to keep it, well, simple
The Team
All permanent members of the team are rescues of some sort and they do all have quite the stories to tell.
But even though some of their physical and mental scars are still there, they actually have recovered very fast, without much intervention or work from us humans.
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When horses have endured very traumatic experiences and chronic stress, their normal feedback system breaks down, just as ours does, leading them to experience PTSD.
This is damaging on a chemical and emotional level.
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Neurologically the horse continues to release hormones that “trigger” them into constant fight and flight.
This leaves them emotionally unbalanced as they cannot differentiate between what’s really happening and what has triggered a memory.
When this occurs, the horse becomes hyper-vigilant, distrustful, unreachable.
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It has also been proven through medical studies and research that we can counteract this and thus give the Hippocampus a chance to heal.
This can be achieved through the production and release of both Serotonin and Dopamine – the “feel good” hormones...
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Allowing Horses to be Horses...with Horses, is a fast track to healing.
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Our Mission
Our voice for the voiceless!
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All good causes have one thing in common, the fight against injustice.
No one being or species has the right to dominate, control, use or exploit another.
Here at With Horses in Portugal, our aim is to educate children and adults on the importance of animal welfare, to provide a space that allows for safe and fulfilling encounters which are beneficial for ALL who are involved, and to ensure our horses a life which guarantees their overall wellbeing.
Using respect, trust and connection as our guiding principles, we can create and implement change that is beneficial to all sentient beings and the environment.
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If you feel the call and want to do something, there are numerous ways you can get involved and help us help horses!
So please don't hesitate to get in touch.