Equinophobia
By: Megan O'Steen
Nearly 8% of people around the world are known to suffer from various animal phobias.
Symptoms:
- Feeling of terror
- Anxiety (even if the horse is calm)
- Trembling
- Panic
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden increase in pulse rate
- Nausea
- Crying
NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs’ Eric Berry has Equinohpobia.
Causes:
Negative experiences with horses during one's childhood may give rise to this phobia.
Equinophobia may also be triggered by a fall from a horse. In many cases, people begin to avoid horses and this gradually develops from fear to a full-blown phobia.
The phobia can also be caused by a simple fear of the animal itself. A horse's imposing size and weight and large teeth may scare some people, especially children.
Negative media portrayals of horses and stallions may add to one's fears.
Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson also have Equinophobia.
Treatment:
One of the most effective therapies for treating Equinophobia is Cognitive Behavior therapy. Cognitive Behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy that consists of changing maladaptive thinking patterns in the phobic. individuals learn to take an open, mindful and more aware posture and approach towards the object of their fear, in this case, horses through this therapy.