Cheri Herschell of Zelienople, a volunteer for the Glade Run Adventures, participates into an activity while holding onto Hersey, left, a quarter horse/thoroughbred mix and Pumpkin, a 26-year-old Percheron.

ZELIENOPLE — A new program at Glade Run Adventures uses the natural connection between humans and horses to teach mindfulness and reduce stress and anxiety.

The public is invited and no experience with horses is needed to attend an Equine Assisted Wellness Workshop, held the first Sunday of each month on the Glade Run Adventures campus.

Julie Wahlenmayer, director at the facility, said the two-hour program sees participants interact with horses in non-mounted ways like grooming and leading the animals around the riding arena.

As they do so, participants learn and practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques and observe their effects on the horses.

“They respond to changes in our stress levels and energy,” Wahlenmayer said. “As you relax, you can watch the horses relax too.”

This is an excerpt of a story that appeared in Tuesday's Butler Eagle.