The Healing Energy of Horses

When We Are Open to Witnessing Miracles

In science, many forms of energy—heat, sound, electricity, and electromagnetic radiation—cannot be seen directly, although their effects can be measured. There is also another understanding of energy, one found in Reiki and many spiritual traditions, where energy is described as vibration, life force, or a subtle connection between living beings.

Science has not established the existence of the particular energy field proposed in Reiki, nor has it demonstrated that such an energy field can cure cancer. Yet science is also continuing to explore the powerful effects that connection, touch, animals, nature, and emotional well-being can have on the human experience.

Over the past 25 years, I have witnessed many moments that I have experienced as miraculous. One of the most unforgettable happened during a winter visit to a wild horse sanctuary in Park City.

The Day I Met Noble Moon

I had taken a group of cancer survivors to Wild Heart Sanctuary, where rescued wild Mustangs are given a safe place to live and heal.

Among the horses was a magnificent Mustang named Noble Moon.

One of the women in our group was living with lung cancer. In the middle of the winter day, Noble Moon approached her and pressed his body against her chest. Then something remarkable happened. Noble Moon took hold of the tab of her winter coat and pulled the zipper down. He continued to press against her chest as she stood quietly with her arms outstretched.

She did not appear frightened.

Slowly, Noble Moon's ears folded back. Watching him, I had the extraordinary feeling that he was sensing something in her—perhaps even experiencing some of her discomfort.

At this time, another horse from the herd approached Noble Moon and seemed to relieve the pressure along the side of Noble Moon’s neck. Suddenly, Noble Moon's ears released. I cannot quite explain exactly what happened.

There was no medical instrument there to measure it. I cannot tell you whether Noble Moon sensed a physical change, responded to her breathing or body language, or experienced something that we do not yet understand.

I can only tell you what I witnessed.

Healing Does Not Always Mean Curing

She  lived approximately ten months longer than her doctors had originally anticipated. Her cancer persisted.

I would never claim that Noble Moon cured her cancer or that his interaction caused her to live longer. We simply do not have evidence to make that conclusion. What I do know is that the experience meant something profound to her.

She was grateful and so were we.

She had never smoked a cigarette in her life, yet she was living with lung cancer. Her journey was difficult, but this moment with Noble Moon seemed to give her something beyond words—a moment of peace, connection, and perhaps the feeling of being understood.

What Does Research Tell Us?

There is growing scientific interest in the relationship between humans and horses.

Small studies involving cancer survivors have reported improvements in areas such as quality of life, emotional well-being, resilience, fatigue, and psychological distress following equine-assisted programs. Research into Reiki has also explored pain, fatigue, anxiety, and quality of life, although the evidence remains limited and mixed.

Importantly, these studies do not demonstrate that horses cure cancer or that Reiki extends survival. What they do suggest is that connection with horses and other complementary practices may provide meaningful emotional and supportive benefits for some people. That distinction matters.

We can honor the experience of healing without making a medical claim that science cannot yet support.

A Story From New Zealand

While researching stories about horses and healing in New Zealand, I found Equessence Herd, an equine-facilitated therapy program in Northland.

The organization shares the story of a woman named Barbara, who was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer. During chemotherapy and the isolation of the COVID period, she began working with a mare named Simba.

Barbara describes those sessions as deeply spiritual and transformative. She experienced a sense of peace and wholeness through her relationship with the horse and continued visiting Simba after her treatment.

I could not establish that this is the exact New Zealand woman from the story I originally heard, but her experience illustrates something many people who work with horses describe: the relationship itself can become a source of comfort, grounding, courage, and emotional healing.

What I Believe

I have learned that healing does not always mean curing. Sometimes healing means finding peace. And sometimes it means standing quietly beside a horse who seems to know exactly where you need him. I don't know what Noble Moon knew that winter day.

Perhaps she sensed something in the woman's body. Perhaps she responded to her breathing or emotional state. Perhaps there are forms of communication between living beings that science has not yet learned how to measure.

I am comfortable living with that mystery. I believe we can honor science while remaining open to experiences that touch us deeply. We don't have to understand everything in order to recognize that something meaningful has happened.

For 25 years, I have been blessed to work with Cancer Survivors through Yoga and Reiki. I am grateful for the training I have received. I am grateful for the people who have trusted me.

And through the friends of my daughter, I am especially grateful for the horses. They remind me that sometimes healing begins simply with presence, connection, and being willing to receive what the moment has to offer.

Perhaps our eyes do have to be open to see the miracles.