A charity using horses to support military veterans struggling with mental health conditions is being praised for helping former soldiers rebuild confidence and reconnect with life after trauma.

Warrior Equine works with ex-service personnel suffering from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and emotional difficulties by introducing them to therapeutic sessions involving horses.

Among those benefiting from the programme is veteran Al Strudwick, who served in Bosnia during the 1990s. After returning home, he developed delayed-onset PTSD and later lost the lower part of both legs due to sepsis.

Strudwick said he initially feared horses and had little experience with them before joining the programme.

“I saw them as hairy, scary creatures,” he recalled. “I had no real connection with horses before this.”

During Warrior Equine’s sessions, veterans enter a pen with a horse and an instructor, learning how calm behaviour, body language and tone of voice can influence the animal’s response. Organisers say the interactions help participants develop emotional awareness, trust and self-confidence.

Strudwick described the experience as transformative.

“I had deep distrust of horses, people and social situations,” he said. “But once that fear starts to fade and your confidence grows, it changes everything.”

He added that spending time with the animals gave him a sense of peace and emotional connection he had struggled to find elsewhere.

“When the horse chose to come towards me on its own, it was incredibly heartwarming,” he said.

Founder Ele Millwright said horses possess a unique ability to help people heal emotionally.

“Horses have an extraordinary way of helping us reconnect with ourselves,” she said. “Watching veterans regain confidence and rediscover their passion for life is incredibly rewarding.”

Military welfare officer Dean Hughes admitted he was initially doubtful about the programme but later saw clear improvements among soldiers dealing with anger, stress and alcohol-related problems.

“It’s one of those things you have to witness to truly understand,” he said. “Some soldiers were turning to alcohol to cope, but these sessions have helped them regulate emotions and avoid going down destructive paths.”

In recognition of its work supporting veterans, Warrior Equine has been selected as the official charity partner for the 2026 Royal Windsor Horse Show.