“Princess Margarita Becomes Patron of Horsepower, a Research Project for Veterans with Treatment-Resistant PTSD”

Princess Margarita has been named patron of Horsepower, a research project for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD. Utrecht University, where the research is being conducted, announced this on Friday.

The university says that about 5 percent of veterans in the Netherlands suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite treatment with existing forms of therapy, some of them still have complaints, such as a disturbed night’s sleep and difficulty concentrating. Contact with horses can help.

“I am pleased that scientific research is now being done into the influence of horses on veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD,” says Princess Margarita. “And it is of course also very important that the welfare of the horses is measured. What strikes me is the peace and relaxation experienced by the veterans when they interact with the horses. I hope this will be accessible to more veterans with PTSD in the future.”

Margarita is known as a horse lover. The princess is also a board member of the Horse Connects foundation, an organization that is committed to projects in which horses can influence the mental and psychological health of people.