b'STAR Spotlight:CPTSD & A Horse Called SmartieLike many veterans, I suffer from PTSD among other issues. Ive done a lot of the cognitive behavioral work but felt like I kept hitting a wall. Even as a practitioner of mindfulness meditation, I just couldnt break through.Then I met the people from the STAR riding program in East Tennessee. I grew up on a horse farm and thought I knew a thing or two. But I had to relearn everything because this program was focused on the pure, clear, and almost touchless communication a human can have with a horse.Communication is almost solely intuitive. The best way I can describe it is that Im learning to commune with this horse. To hear it. All my focus gets drawn to connecting with the horse, and before you know it, things that once would have set me into full hyper vigilance, are calmly noticed and assessed as no threat.In taking care of my horse, from grooming to riding, Im focused on his well-being, which allows me to get out of a PTSD mindset.If it werent for STAR and its Heroes and Horses veterans program, I dont think Id have the confidence it takes to handle life with my PTSD. I touch my horse and it all melts away.Veteran and STAR participant17'