Student Stories

Novato Youth Center

Horse Sense for Teens-at-Risk™ works with a number of local non-profit agencies during the year. The following story is an accounting of one of our workshops held on behalf of the Novato Youth Center in the summer of 2006. We have changed the name of the participant for confidentiality reasons. Berta Campos, Director of Youth Activities, submitted the report.

About 30 students participated in a one-day Horse Sense for Teens-at-Risk Workshop at Horse Medicine Ranch. The program helps adolescents develop self-confidence, increase their awareness of the larger world around them and expand their sense of possibility with a unique blend of action-oriented, equine-guided exercises and reflective, indigenous practices. There is no riding involved and no prior experience with horses is necessary. One of the primary objectives of the program is to give each student participating a variety of opportunities throughout the day to learn and experience what it means to be a leader, and to see that leadership comes in many forms. By observing the interaction of a herd, participants begin to discern and reflect on the role of a leader in providing for the group, as well as the importance and unique value of each member of the group for the safety of the whole.

Following the art session, participants individually present and describe to the rest of the group both their art piece and the imaginal journey that led to its creation. For many of the participants, this is the first time they have ever been asked to express themselves before a group in this way or been acknowledged by others for their creativity. In the individual work with a horse in the round pen, each participant has the experience of getting a 1,300-pound animal to follow him/her lead based completely on the trust and confidence he/she has in him/herself. This is, without a doubt, an incredibly powerful experience of leadership at a direct, visceral level. At the same time, the other members of the group are invited to comment on what they observe, providing an opportunity to learn/practice leadership skills as a peer guide/mentor.

This is the story that Alyssa Aubrey, Certified Equine Educator and facilitator of the workshops told us regarding Adam, one of the students participating in the program. The story illustrates how struggling students can benefit from this type of outdoor activities:

The revelations about Adam’s grades came about with the obstacle exercise. We were working with energy this morning, attending to our body language, intention and intuition. By letting go of a rigid agenda to “run up and pet the horse”, we could observe moving toward the horses with a centered, authentic presence in our body. The alignment of mind/ body/ spirit conveys a sense of trust to the horse. In these golden moments, anything is possible.

Adam looked like he was having a hard time with the concept. I walked over and whispered, “Which horse has captured your attention, Adam?” He pointed to Sedona, an 18-year-old Arabian mare. Sedona was standing about 20 feet away and suddenly pricked her ears forward as if she’d heard her name spoken.

“I want to pet her, but I’m afraid she won’t like me,” said Adam. “Why don’t you walk over to Sedona, tell her how you are feeling and see what happens,” I offered.

I watched Adam make his way very slowly towards the beautiful bay horse. He stopped in front of her and looked up at her face. Sedona lowered her head to meet his. Adam wrapped both arms around her neck and buried his head in her mane. Instantly, as if returning the gesture Sedona wrapped her neck around Adam’s body and held him softly in the fold of her neck.

For a moment the two were captured in a beautiful mare foal pose. A mare will wrap her newborn foal in the same way Sedona cradled Adam. The horse will often mirror the mare foul pose when the horse senses some deep hurt or disappointment in the human heart.

Horses have an amazing gift for revealing issues that humans are facing in other areas of their lives. Since it isn’t the human delivering the information, it is often easier for the participant to reflect upon these revelations. The horses “feedback” is so singular and to the point, that often participants experience profound transformations in how they view themselves and others.

At the end of this experience Adam shared with the group that he had been suspended at school and that his academic performance had a lot to be desired. He also told us that after this fun and emotional day he would try to improve his grades and his attitude towards school.