Equine Assisted Empowerment

Equine Assisted Empowerment

Equine Assisted Empowerment is a unique and effective program for students with behavioral issues and at-risk youth by providing them with activities with our miniature horses. This program consists of 8 visits to the school with 1 or 2 miniature horses, 1 visit with the students and miniature horses to a local nursing home or comparable facility, and 1 visit by the students to Hope’s Promise Farm, where they have the opportunity to interact with both miniature and full-sized horses.

Troubled youth with behavioral issues – including disrespect and non-compliance – can be difficult to reach, as their behaviors have usually been established for a while and exist for self-protective reasons. In addition to the effect their actions have on themselves, their behaviors can also have a negative impact on other students and/or the climate in the school.

Sometimes when individuals are offered an experience different from any they have encountered in the past – something unconventional and unanticipated – the messages and/or lessons from that experience can penetrate in a way that other attempts and therapies have not. This is where miniature horses enter the picture.

Horses respond differently to people than cats or dogs do. Cats and dogs do not see us as potential threats because, like us, they are predators; but since horses are prey, their trust needs to be earned. Horses will not react to behaviors, verbal communication and body language in a manner to which the students are accustomed; however, they mirror what they are sensing. Behaviors that may be effective with people to get the desired results will not work with horses.

Students have to be authentic with horses in order to achieve the desired results. “Humans often mask truth through language; however, horses communicate non-verbally exactly what they are feeling. They primarily use body language and energy to communicate. If someone is feeling afraid or anxious, for instance, but masking this fear, the horse may act frightened. If instead, an individual is angry but trying to act relaxed and calm, the horse will respond aggressively, swishing its tail …. Working with horses can address defects in character development, such as aggressiveness, which can be acted out through bullying, domestic violence or disrespecting other’s personal boundaries. Even what appears to be a simple task – correctly and safely leading a horse – can tap into deep-seated anger, fear and frustration” (PATH [Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship] International STRIDES Magazine, Spring 2014). By succeeding at a task like leading a horse, students can work through their feelings and experience empowerment, as well as increased self-esteem and a certain release of their negative emotions. Because of these positive changes in perception and/or experience of self, the students exhibit more positive behavior and do not have as much need for the negative behavior.

Once a month at their school, students will engage in activities with our miniature horses that build on all of the previous months’ lessons … beginning with learning about safety around horses; equine communication & body language; petting; grooming; leading; lunging; long lining; driving; and eventually riding a full-sized horse at our farm.