Princess Margarita is named patron of Horsepower, a research project for veterans suffering from treatment-resistant PTSD. Utrecht University, where the research is taking place, announced this on Friday.
The university says that about 5 percent of war veterans in the Netherlands suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite treatment with current forms of treatment, some still have complaints, such as restless night sleep and difficulty concentrating. Communication with horses can help.
“I am delighted that scientific research is now being conducted on the effect of horses on veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD,” says Princess Margarita. “It is also important, of course, to measure the well-being of horses. What amazes me is the calm and relaxation that veterans experience when interacting with horses. I hope this will be accessible to more veterans with PTSD in the future.”
Margarita is known as a horse lover. The princess is also a board member of Horse Connects, an organization committed to projects where horses can affect people’s mental and emotional health.
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