“I arrived a bit rushed, but I’m going home calmer. Being near a huge animal, which is so peaceful, helps me put my problems into perspective,” expressed Carolina Ramos, a first-year student in Social and Educational Animation.
Since March, whenever possible, she spends her evenings “brushing or carefully cleaning a horse’s hooves.”
“We also comb their tails and manes, and recently we even braided them. We don’t always care for the same horse, and today [Wednesday], I got to work with E-Giro,” she commented.
The Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra uses interactions with horses to promote the mental health and well-being of its students, aiding them in better managing daily challenges.
The “Horse Buddy” project is being developed by researchers from the Agricultural and Health Technology Schools as part of a broader mental health promotion initiative within the Polytechnic community, named “+SaBe.”
Joining Carolina Ramos in caring for the same horse, Joana Moço shared that when she grooms or bathes a horse, she forgets her worries and the outside world.
“It’s my way to relax a bit from school, assignments, and what others think. It helps me avoid constant stress or my head would explode,” joked the Pharmacy student while pampering E-Giro.
“You’re in your element, just don’t eat my arm, please! He’s like this because he’s enjoying it; he’s very affectionate,” she added.
Inês Martins, a Communication student familiar with equines, explained some of the horses’ reactions, which she learned to interpret during her years of riding.
“This is an opportunity to be around horses again. I already knew it would make me feel lighter, less burdened, and in better spirits,” she emphasized.
According to her, being around horses can be “equated to meditation,” helping “to breathe better.”
“It helps me be more centered and calm. I can concentrate better,” she admitted.
Pedro Bravo, a teacher at the Agricultural School, clarified that the project aims to maximize the benefits of interacting with horses.
“We wanted to bring the added value of relaxation to students through various activities: from brushing, walking the horse by hand, feeding, cleaning the facilities, and if desired, riding,” he indicated.
Ana Paula Amaral, the project coordinator, explained that “Horse Buddy” aims to promote emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation, as well as the development of relational and communication skills.
“We noticed levels of anxiety and stress among students, and the opportunity arose to create an emotional, relational space to help them regulate emotions. The relationship established with animals, the kisses, the cuddles, have a different nature, without the judgment that comes from people,” she pointed out.
According to the teacher, contact with horses activates certain brain areas and releases substances that create a sense of peace.
“It’s a serenity, we disconnect from problems and pressure,” she mentioned.
Currently, the “Horse Buddy” project is open to students from the six higher education schools of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra and has 35 participants.
“The students end up socializing, which is another advantage of the project. Besides the positive aspect of the relationship with the horse, it allows for the development of communication skills. It’s a meeting point for developing communicational and relational skills,” she concluded.
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