Recent studies conducted by the Institute of Heart Math provide a clue to explain bi-directional healing that happens when we are near horses.  According to research, the heart has a larger electromagnetic field than the brain.  A magnetometer can measure the heart’s energy field radiating out from 8 to 10 feet around the human body.  While this is certainly significant it is perhaps more impressive that the electromagnetic field projected by the horses’ heart is five times larger than the human one.  The horse’s electromagnetic field is also stronger than ours and can directly influence our own heart rhythm.  Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a ‘coherent heart rhythm’ which may explain why we feel better when we are around them.

Studies have found that a coherent heart pattern or HRV is a robust measure of well-being and is consistent with emotional states of calm and joy.  We exhibit such a pattern when we feel positive emotions.  A coherent heart pattern is indicative of a system that can recover and adjust to stressful situations very efficiently.