Horse whisperer helps stress sufferers

Horse whisperer helps stress sufferers

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In the Guadalix mountains outside Madrid, Argentine horse whisperer Fernando Noailles uses his animals to help people suffering from stress and anxiety.

The 57-year-old, who spent many years in the Patagonian wilderness living with horses, uses the animals as a way for patients to interpret and control their emotions.

. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina
Fernando Noailles and his patient Maria Lopez Herraiz attend an emotional therapy session.

People who come to his sessions spend time with the horses and learn through the movement of the animal what mental state they themselves are in, says Noailles, who charges up to 120 euros per session.

. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina
Fernando Noailles caresses one of the horses.

"The horse is a mirror," he says. "They are gregarious creatures, born to live in herds."

The therapy consists in monitoring how the horse responds to the client's moods. From watching the horse's reaction, the client learns how to identify and control emotions, he says.

"People in the first session, when they are in a difficult state of mind, see a horse that doesn't stop, that moves, that even gallops. The horse is showing you a mind that doesn't stop, that is tormented," he says.

. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina
Loreto Garcia embraces a horse.

Loreto Garcia has spent two years in sessions with Noialles to help her cope with stress.

"Fernando sees the reaction of the horse - he can tell if I'm centred in the moment, how I feel. He uses the horse as a guide to let him know how the session is going," she says.

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Slideshow

Noailles attends an emotional therapy session.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Noailles attends an emotional therapy session.

A horse belonging to Noailles stands near a barn.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

A horse belonging to Noailles stands near a barn.

Noailles sits in his car.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Noailles sits in his car.

Noailles walks with his horse, Madrid.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Noailles walks with his horse, Madrid.

Noailles gallops on his horse.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Noailles gallops on his horse.

Noailles sits on his horse.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Noailles sits on his horse.

Horses belonging to Noailles, are seen in Guadalix de la Sierra.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Horses belonging to Noailles, are seen in Guadalix de la Sierra.

Noailles kisses his horse.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Noailles kisses his horse.

Madrid, the horse of emotional therapist Noailles.
. Guadalix De La Sierra, Spain. Reuters/Juan Medina

Madrid, the horse of emotional therapist Noailles.