Through personal stories, research and insights from experts, “Rescued Hearts” dives deeper into the horse-human connection.
CANMORE – Paula Macdonald has seen lives changed because of horses.
Whether it’s newfound confidence, reduced stress and anxiety or building physical strength, Macdonald, chairperson of Bow Valley Equine Adaptive (BVEA) often sees participants walk away with life skills after a riding or groundwork session.
In hopes of sharing the impacts of equine therapy with the Bow Valley, the Kananaskis non-profit is screening part one of Rescued Hearts, a documentary that dives deeper into the horse-human connection, on Sunday (March 1) at Canmore’s Origin at Spring Creek.
“A lot of people head to, ‘oh, [the film] is about rescuing horses,’ but it’s actually more about how horses can support humans and build the connection that helps humans to heal,” says Macdonald.
Hosting a community conversation alongside the film, BVEA is bringing in a certified equine-assisted learning instructor, local therapists and medical professionals to expand the conversation.
“It’s an opportunity for people to share their experience or to express how that movie made them feel. There are a lot of sensitive topics covered in the first hour of the documentary, so you don’t want to just leave people hanging,” said Macdonald.
Through personal stories, research and insights from experts, Rescued Hearts, directed by Arizona-based filmmaker Krisanna Sexton, spans five countries and 31 cities capturing the power of relationships between people and horses.
Making a stop in Alberta, the documentary features Amber Marshall, star of the TV series Heartland, as she looks back on the role horses have played in her life.
“There is something so far above what any of us know that forms this connection,” says Marshall in the film.
Whether on the back of a horse or doing exercises on the ground, the documentary brings to light the health and wellness benefits of interacting with the gentle giants – benefits that Macdonald consistently sees in participants of BVEA’s therapeutic riding and horsemanship programs.
“For some people building connections with people is just that much harder but starting with an animal who’s empathetic, non-judgmental we get back to the biggest thing … confidence. There’s other life skills that are built too, but when you have that inner confidence or self-esteem it makes it easier out in the real world,” she said.
Running out of Camp Chief Hector starting in May each year, Macdonald says the programs are designed for people of all abilities.
“We’ve had people with cognitive delays, chromosomal abnormalities, physical impairments also participate in the program,” she said. “It’s something that can be adapted to just about anybody.”
Expanding beyond therapeutic riding and groundwork this season, BVEA is offering an additional equine-assisted learning program where participants are exposed to hands-on learning alongside a horse.
“[Participants] lead the horse through different activities. Sometimes it’s just an activity for the participant, but often it’s learning to communicate with the horse,” Macdonald describes.
As horses return from pasture in April and are re-evaluated for another season, the need for equine therapy is only becoming more critical, says Macdonald.
“There has been a greater need for mental health support. We are not specifically a mental health program but when you build life skills through equine-assisted learning, the horse becomes the teacher,” she said.
Raising over $1,000 from tickets so far, all proceeds from the documentary screening will go directly into funding BVEA programs.
“A lot of the community has given a lot back to us in bringing this [film] here, so we’re pretty excited,” Macdonald added.
Following its official release in April, BVEA hopes to screen part two of Rescued Hearts.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. This position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.