Six Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy for At-Risk Youth
Equine Assisted Therapy is a common form of animal-assisted therapy that encompasses the use of horses and a specialist working together with an at-risk youth to create positive change. In addition to actually riding a horse, Equine Assisted Therapy often also includes having the at-risk youth be involved in observing, handling, and grooming horses, and doing groundwork on the farm and in the barns, stables, and arenas. Research has shown that Equine Assisted Therapy results in significant, positive changes for at-risk youth, including noticeable improvement in the child’s judgment, insight, perception, social skills, communication, behavior, and learning.
Builds Trust
Whether the rider is an at-risk youth or just a first-time rider, any horseback enthusiast will tell you that trust is a huge part of being around and riding horses. Horses are highly intelligent and sensitive creatures; they can easily sense if the rider is terrified, calm, stressed, or kind. For at-risk youth, trust involves trusting the horse, trusting the therapist, and trusting oneself. This is not an easy feat for an at-risk youth whose ability to trust others has been challenged from an early age by difficult life experiences. Whether learning how to lift a horse’s leg to clean its hoof, showering the horse, or confidently mucking a stall with the horse still in it, the trust that an at-risk youth gains while in the company of a horse is deep and life changing.
Reduces Anxiety
Human-animal interaction has been studied for decades with the data all pointing to the same results — physical contact with animals, including horses, significantly reduces physiological anxiety levels. At-risk kids often are afflicted with a lot of anxiety – from worrying about failing out of school and where their next meal might come from, to trying to stand off against the pressures from street gangs and wondering if they are going to be homeless. Having the opportunity to work alongside and ride horses, combined with licensed equine assisted therapists, help at-risk youth to become calm, centered, and be in the moment – relieving their thoughts of anxiousness and nervousness.
Reduces Depression and Isolation
At-risk youth – whether they are in elementary school or teens, often feel a sense of isolation and depression. They struggle between wanting others to know about their particular circumstances so that perhaps they can get help, and acting stoic and simply accepting their plot in life as the status quo and remaining hopefulness. Their depression is frequently associated with feeling different from others, feeling left out, and feeling rejected by their peers. A horse’s unconditional acceptance of others creates an instant connection and sense of belonging between the horse and the at-risk youth. Being atop a horse on a sunny afternoon, hearing it whinny, and watching it stretch out its neck in delight while getting a great massage make it difficult to remain self-absorbed in depression and isolation. Without any words ever exchanged, an at-risk youth can feel instantly connected to and accepted by these sensitive and gentle giants.
Increases Self-Esteem
Everyone’s self-esteem is naturally enhanced when they challenge themselves to try a new experience or learn a new skill. Even learning the fundamentals of horseback riding and, more importantly, how to connect with the beautiful beast, quite easily boosts a rider’s confidence and self-esteem. At-risk children improve their ability to embrace new experiences and challenges in a natural, wonderful, and non-competitive way when they participate in Equine Assisted Therapy. Learning how to ride a horse in a non-judgmental, welcoming environment creates an experience for at-risk youth that they can look back at fondly and with a sense of renewed self-esteem (or perhaps new confidence never before experienced). Improves Social Skills. Equine Assisted Therapy is very powerful in moving at-risk children who are socially isolated or withdrawn into a more open, positive, and appropriate social platform. A positive relationship with a horse is often the first, safe step an at-risk child can take toward practicing the social skills needed to initiate closer relationships with people.
Increases Assertiveness
Unfortunately for many at-risk youth, responding aggressively to a situation – or not at all (passively) are often the only two options at-risk children learn at an early age when trying to handle and deal with life’s challenges. Working effectively with a large animal like a horse, however, provides the foundation for children to learn how to be calm and face challenges assertively. Being assertive doesn’t mean using harsh words or yanking on the horse’s mouth with its reins. There’s no need to be aggressive and start a war with the horse if it’s doing something it shouldn’t, just like the rider shouldn’t be passive and ignore the horse’s wrong decisions. Assertiveness is about the at-risk youth being confident and able to stand up for what is right in a calm and positive way. Assertiveness is truly an essential communication skill in every aspect of the child’s life– whether at school, while interacting with others, or riding a horse. If you know an at-risk youth that could benefit from Equine Assisted Therapy, contact Reachout America. For nearly 20 years now, Reachout America has been helping kids with diverse challenges connect with equine camps across America.
