Forest bathing on horseback.

Forest bathing is a practice of Japanese origin (Shinrin-Yoku) that consists of immersing oneself in the forest, among the trees, consciously, with all our senses , connecting with nature to benefit from the positive effects of the natural world, and even better combined with the positive spirituality of the horse.

Listening to the sounds, enjoying the aromas, feeling the breeze, and letting the branches of the trees caress us has benefits for our body, mind, and spirit.

It's a reconnection with nature that we've lost over the past 100 years. We, as a species, evolved in nature; yet, how many of us take the time to be in nature these days? Not many of us.

People in the past had a much closer connection to the land, something that has been lost. Now, people tend to view nature as a resource that can be "taken away" without reciprocity.

In our urban world, our daily lives are filled with noise (sirens, construction, vehicles, loudspeakers, etc.) that creates excessive sensory overload, preventing us from easily entering relaxation mode due to the constant noise. Many of us unconsciously remain on "high alert," affecting our health and well-being.

It's scientifically proven that conscious immersion in the forest wards off depression, reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, lowers blood pressure, improves memory and concentration, recharges energy, improves sleep quality, and increases positive feelings by dispelling negative ones, among many other benefits. Doctors now even prescribe time spent in a natural environment.

Trees emit essential oils called phytoncides to protect against germs and insects. Exposure to forests, inhaling the fresh, phytoncide-filled forest air, not only feels refreshing but actually improves the functioning of our human immune system. We absorb the power of trees into our own systems.

If we do it on horseback, we add all the benefits of horseback riding and its company, increasing and enhancing the effect of forest bathing.

Horse lovers have known for generations that getting out into nature has stress-reducing benefits. Simply being near a horse, in a paddock with horses and other animals (dogs, cats, etc.), lowers the heart rate, distracts the mind from worries, and reduces anxiety.

Research has shown that people who ride, care for, or spend a lot of time around horses have fewer stress hormones in their bodies. There's evidence that they even live longer.

Is it the earthy scent? The natural sunlight? The sound of birdsong? Whatever the magic ingredient, horse lovers can confirm that being around horses, and especially in the woods for a horseback ride, has enormous and far-reaching healing qualities.

Horses are very sensitive animals. As potential prey for predators, they have developed extraordinary sensory abilities, capable of reading our emotions and the energy signals emanating from everything around us—the earth, living beings, and the universe in general—sensing their energetic pulses and rhythms.

Although humans coexist in the same universe, we have many blocks (mental, social, personal, etc.) that prevent us from understanding the universal intelligence system through which everything that exists interacts and communicates at an invisible level.

Silent communication is stronger than words.

Spending time in the presence of horses can be a transformative experience. These majestic creatures possess a beautiful and balanced vibration that has the power to impact our well-being in profound ways. By immersing ourselves in their energy, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities and discover the true essence of inner stillness, entering a space that allows us to connect with our inner wisdom and intuition.

As humans have evolved, we have moved away from feelings and toward rational thought processes. Horses and the forest can help teach us how to return to our inner knowing.

To take a forest bath on horseback and overcome our blockages, we must put all our intention into admiring and experiencing all of nature around us, including our horse. This will not only improve our health, but it will also bring the horse closer to us because we will now be inside its world and see it through its eyes.

Stop thinking about your own agenda, or what happened at work, or what you have to do when you get home.

Start thinking about how wonderful it feels just to be with the horse. How warm and bright the day is. How good the sun feels on your skin or the breeze that blows. How sweet it is to hear the birds singing or the crickets chirping. How green and beautiful the grass is, or the beauty of the tall trees swaying in the wind.

Admire, appreciate, and be grateful for the beautiful nature that surrounds you, including your horse.

With forest bathing on horseback, you'll experience a unique experience, awakening your senses and connecting with nature on horseback, slowing down, relaxing, and enjoying a sensory experience based on the forest and the horse.

The positive effects of forest bathing can persist for several weeks after spending time in a forest.

There's an old saying that "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man" and it applies to the forest and nature as well.