Horse Sense for Teens-at-Risk™ is part of the National Heritage Family and functions as a Congressional District Program. CDP is a separate, independent public 501 (c) (3), 509 (a) (1) public charity.

The youth that come to Medicine Horse Ranch have many challenges, including poverty, gangs, early pregnancy, English language barriers, low academic achievement, and substance abuse. Equine-guided education is particularly effective with these adolescents because it fosters healthy self-esteem and strong self-management and communication skills. Teens are “herd” animals themselves, and soak in the lessons from the horses in ways that traditional school settings can never provide.

Horse Sense for Teens At-Risk™ got its official start in 2003 when we partnered with the Novato Youth Center to provide equine activities for just six Latina girls in their pregnancy prevention program. Our partnership has grown over the years, and in 2007, we served 30 adolescents. In the coming year, we will serve 90 teems from the Novato Youth Center. These young people will come to the ranch in groups of nine for two rich days of equine-guided education, art therapy, and activities based on Native American teachings. We have added a backpacking and horseback-riding component for 2008.

Horse Sense for Teens-at-Risk™ programs are designed to help 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. One of the primary objectives of the program is to give each student skills as a peer guide/mentor, 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.

Finding Hope, Angelica’s Story: A foster mom called me because her foster-daughter had become increasingly violent. Angelica’s early years had been filled with neglect and abuse of all kinds—physical, sexual, and emotional. This was her eighth placement in ten years. Every time she got close to her new family, it aroused agitated, aggressive, and even violent responses. Traditional counseling methods did nothing to help.

I asked Angelica to put a halter on Sage, a seasoned 12-year old mustang. Whenever she got close enough to Sage to put the halter on, Sage retreated. As this pattern continued, I asked Angelica, “What does Sage need from you so that she will let you put the halter on?” Angelica thought quietly about it for a very long time. “She needs to know I won’t hurt her, and then she can trust me.” Angelica then took her time to wait for the horse to come to her, and was able complete the task. This interaction was pivotal for Angelica. She may not have realized that Sage was identifying her own issues; it doesn’t matter. What does matters is that this young woman took an incredible risk to open herself up to Sage and learned that she herself could be trustworthy and lovable. Angelica’s foster mother has told us that there have been no further instances of aggression since the session at Medicine Horse Ranch.

Finding Acceptance, Roberto’s Story: This young adolescent was asked to pay attention to his body language, and move toward one of the program horses with slow, focused attention. Obviously struggling with the task, I walked over and asked Roberto which horse drew his attention. Sedona, our 18-year old Arabian was the object of his affections, but Roberto was afraid she didn’t like him. I coached him to talk directly about his feelings to Sedona. To his amazement, she lowered his head to meet his. The young man wrapped his arms around her neck and buried his head in her mane. Sedona responded instantly by wrapping her neck around his body, as a mare would do with a foal. Our horses will often use this gesture when sensing a deep hurt or loss in the human heart. After receiving Sedona’s generous “hug,” Roberto later admitted that he had been suspended from school and declared his intention to improve his grades and his attitude.