‘Horseback therapy’ for traumatised troops

Elite Scottish commandos traumatised from the brutality of war in Afghanistan are to learn how to become cowboys in the Cairngorms in order to help mend the mental scars of conflict.

The first troops from the war zone to take part in the pioneering therapy course will be from 45 Commando based in Arbroath. The commandos are now back from Afghanistan. Injured and mentally traumatised troops will begin the first of the horseback therapy in early December.

Two dozen marines will trial the courses, the first in the UK, with the aim of getting the scheme fully operational by next summer. The equine treatment will teach soldiers how to herd cattle like 19th-century cowboys in the Wild West.

Those behind the unusual scheme believe that allowing veterans and serving soldiers to become cowboys amid the beautiful scenery of the Cairngorms National Park will help heal post-traumatic stress disorder, allow servicemen to regain confidence and adjust to life away from the war zone.

The equine rehabilitation centre for the military will open in Ferrar, near Aboyne, in Aberdeenshire.

Current servicemen and women from all three branches of the military will also be able visit the centre – even though they are not suffering directly from the trauma of war – as a form of rest and recuperation after a tour of duty in the combat zone.

The mental fallout from life on the frontline can be devastating. It has been estimated that in some parts of the UK 85% of the homeless population is ex-military.

When HorseBack UK fully opens its first centre in the summer it will have 30 horses, many donated by former Royal Ballet dancer Liane Warwick-Drake, who is now a top breeder of American Quarter Horses and is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and Texas.

The first 14 American Quarter Horses – noted for their calmness and strength – have been delivered to the 20-acre farm. Around a dozen other horses, bred for hill riding, will be shipped over from Texas to the much more chilly climes of the Aberdeenshire countryside later in December.

The charity has been set up by former Royal Marine officer Jock Hutchison, 46, and his wife Emma, 42, who moved to Ferrar last year. They hope that in two years’ time there will be 10 centres around the UK, all near military bases.

They have already been backed by Major General Julian Thompson, who as a brigadier commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the Falklands War. He is also a visiting professor at the department of War Studies, King’s College, University of London.

The centres will combine equine therapy, nature therapy and adventure training.

Mr Hutchison saw active ground service in Bosnia and Northern Ireland and also flew helicopters for both the Army and Navy. He has also been a life-long rider – even when he was in the marines he still kept a horse.

He said: “During a two-week break here, people will learn to ride and learn a bit about horsemanship and then they will drive cattle – just like cowboys.

“The people who will come here will get calmness after madness. In Afghanistan you are near death every day. You need a little bit of time to come down.

“We also hope to help those with post-traumatic stress disorder. If the symptoms are left unchecked, not only will they worsen significantly, but individuals can turn to coping mechanisms such as alcohol and drugs.

“This downward spiral has led to alarming levels of our ex-service people being unable to cope with modern life and ending up homeless, in psychiatric care or prison.

“I have tasted post-traumatic stress. I have seen a lot of active service and horses helped keep me sane. Equine therapy is well used in Israel and the United States and has proved successful. We hope to do the same here.

“We want to create adventure. I know what service people want. They want the adventure to come here and drive cattle. They want to experience the sense of freedom of riding in this fantastic countryside.

“Equine therapy and nature therapy are both recognised as having a significantly positive effect on the recovery process of individuals suffering from mental health problems.”

Over the past six months HorseBack has carried out extensive research which has included discussions with military personnel, serving and veterans, and clinicians.

Mr Hutchison has also held talks with Brigadier Stephen Andrews, director of personal services for the Army.

Dunfermline-born Mr Hutchinson learnt his own skills growing up in North Carolina, where he went for part of his schooling. North Carolina is famed for its horse-breeding.

The charity is even liaising with a company in America that makes stetsons with hard inner linings to combine both health and safety requirements and cowboy authenticity.

Mr Hutchison says each centre will cost £250,000 to set up and about £100,000 a year to run.

Help is currently being sought from various charities and funding bodies, including the National Lottery, Help For Heroes, a charity set up to support wounded service personnel, and commercial companies.

“We have a saying in the marines that we don’t leave our people behind. There are some people who just need a bit of help,” said Mr Hutchison.