Jeane

Providing a Safe Space

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This June, we celebrate Pride and bring awareness to PTSD.  These two seemingly different subjects share some commonalities. PTSD arises out of trauma. LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience trauma and mental illness. Most people don't get the help they need, often because finding spaces that feel safe can be difficult. LEAD with Horses provides one such space.

safe space

noun

    1. a place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm.

 

We strive to create a truly Safe Space at LEAD with Horses. A space for kids and families to explore, share, and grow. A space where everyone feels welcome and accepted. A space where a range of ideas, struggles, perceptions, and experiences can be shared and acknowledged.

This can be challenging when trying to meet a diversity of needs, backgrounds, views, experiences, cultures, and more. Thankfully, the horses help us to appreciate every individual, and our team approach increases our awareness of our own preconceptions. The horses are sensitive to thoughts and feelings and come to the arena without bias.

Safe Space is established from the first day at LEAD with Horses. It begins with a welcoming physical environment in a beautiful outdoor setting. Grounding exercises are incorporated to lessen nervousness, fear, or anxiety. Participants work together to create guidelines and ground rules. Everyone must feel safe to speak, and we encourage all to contribute to conversations and activities.

Safe Space does not mean a place free of discomfort or difficulty. Quite the opposite. A Safe Space provides opportunities to meet tough challenges because it allows for vulnerability with dignity. The horses aid in building trust and connection, the foundation of Safe Space and of all the work at LEAD with Horses.

Mindful Minute

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The Healing Herd at LEAD with Horses provide excellent opportunities and examples for grounding. Horses encourage mindfulness. These amazing and powerful animals require our full attention for meaningful connection.

Got a minute?

Here are brief exercises that you can use to start on a path to mindfulness. You just need a minute (or less) and can build on the activities you find to be most helpful. No horse required.

1) Take five
This is a great one for when you are stuck in traffic
Inhale through your nose for a count of 5
Exhale out your nose or mouth for a count of 5
Pause
Repeat

2) New spaces
Pause as you walk through a door or enter a room
Breathe deeply
Notice any change in environment
Notice how you feel in the new space

3) Mindful walking
This can be done indoors or out. Take a minute to focus on your walk:
Notice each step, your speed, and movement
Notice your breath
Match your steps to your breath: as you breathe in, count steps. As you breathe out count the same number of steps. The number of steps will vary by person. Find a comfortable equilibrium between your lungs and feet.

4) Sit and breathe
Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the ground
Rest your hands in a comfortable position and close your eyes
Focus on your breathing; follow each breath in and out
After 1 minute (or longer), gradually open your eyes

5) Take it Anywhere
You can do any activity mindfully: Walking in nature, talking with a spouse or child, taking a shower, even sitting in a meeting — these activities can be done with deliberate intent to focus on the present moment.
Choose one activity to do with mindful attention
Do the activity with deliberate intent to focus on the moment
Use your senses to notice details

Start with 30 seconds of mindful attention and go from there! The more you practice, the easier it becomes. And it can be more easily called upon in stressful situations once it becomes a habit. 

 

Welcome Quest and Red

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LEAD with Horses recently welcomed two new horses to our herd:

Image is the profile of a horse's face. Horses is a dark gray. Quest is a lovely 18-year-old Appaloosa. The first thing most people notice is his unusual silver color, called grulla.  Quest is proving to be quite sweet and clever.

Image is of a red colored horse laying down with its face in profile. Red is a 13-year-old Rocky Mountain – the third Rocky Mountain Horse in our herd! (Gina and Lucas are also RM horses) He is a stocky boy who appears to take things slow. His playful nature is coming out now that he is comfortable in his new home.

Both horses have adjusted quickly, have been integrated into the herd, and we hope they will be ready to be part of our summer term. We look forward to seeing what these two lovely horses will offer to our students.

These two will be available to sponsor soon! Watch our horses page for important updates.

Why?

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I was recently asked, “Why a horse program?” I replied with an explanation of what we do, whom we serve, and even the benefits of the work. But I did not fully answer the question, and it is an important question. The short answer is that every child deserves a chance to thrive.

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All youth needs an opportunity to explore, attain, and reach beyond their potential. Yet so many programs, schools, approaches, and activities leave children behind. Too many children are not thriving, but instead are struggling in traditional settings. Not only are they not reaching their potential, the potential is not even acknowledged.

 

The reality is that every child has strengths, every child has abilities, every child has the capacity to thrive. How do we tap into these assets? How do we encourage positive development?

 

We take a positive approach. We work from a strengths based perspective rather than deficit view. We encourage and build and support. We provide an environment that cultivates creativity and exploration, risk-taking, and decision-making.

 

People who believe in the individual and collective strength of our youth created LEAD. We believe in equine assisted education and therapy because we have seen it work. We know this approach nurtures young people and helps them develop as individuals and members of our community. Children are recognized as valuable individuals with something to offer.

 

Youth are expected to take an active role in their development as partners with a horse. The program environment is one of growth and support, and participants are encouraged to try new things, learn from their mistakes, and have fun while gaining new skills and knowledge.

 

Youth expand their world, learn to care for others, develop relationships, improve their cognitive and social abilities; gain confidence; and develop character in a physically, intellectually, and emotionally stimulating environment that provides safe spaces to grow, learn, and enjoy life.

 

Then they can thrive!

The Power of Horses for Positive Change and Personal Growth

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M&P pedestal 4The true power of horses is difficult to put into words. I can discuss skill development and horse behavior, but there is so much more depth to interactions with a horse. It is a physical, emotional, and psychological experience. Horses can help us find a new perspective. They can help us to dig deep and find the best in ourselves. They can help us heal.

 

There are numerous research studies indicating the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of horses – everything from life skill development in teens to improved social skills in children with autism. Recent studies show that being with horses lower cortisol levels and slows heart rate.

 

Horse people have always understood the positive effects of horses. Nonetheless, it is beneficial to have research to support what so many of us have instinctively known: that horses are good for our mind, bodies, and soul. This is of particular value in today’s busy world with its seemingly endless stream of information and demands.

 

Life can be overwhelming at times. Like anyone else, I have good days and bad days. There are times when I doubt my decisions, worry that I ask too much of my family, or question whether I am doing the best I can for my students and clients.

 

Self-reflection is a good thing, but it ceases to be productive when it becomes self-doubt and self-criticism. It is perhaps, at times like these that I am most fortunate to have horses. Horses provide clarity and renewal when I need it most. I have experienced the power of horses first hand, and have witnessed it in children and youth.

 

Kids experience ups and downs, too. Children have pressures large and small that can overwhelm them and help them feel powerless. Hug 3They may have challenges at school or home, and they don’t always feel comfortable sharing their concerns with adults – or worse: their problems are marginalized when they do disclose their feelings.

 

New stressors come with the transformations of adolescence. Physical, emotional and social changes are part of the journey to adulthood. Youth are figuring out who they are and where they fit in the world. Their relationships and roles are in constant flux; this is an exciting but challenging time.

 

Horses are great stress relievers. Children, youth, and adults can share experiences with a horse and gain new insight. They can find new approaches to problems, and learn more about themselves in the process. Equine assisted activities can build self-confidence and provide a healthy outlet for expression and investigation.

 

Not that it is all wine and roses! Horses provide nonjudgmental feedback. They do not judge based on age, social status, or physical appearance. They listen – not to words, but to intent, actions, and feelings. This translates to honest feedback. Any number of personal shortcomings may be revealed to us when we work with a horse. We may realize that we lack patience, are quick to judge, or don’t communicate effectively. We are, after all, human. We make mistakes.

 

It is what we do with this information that creates such powerful change. Equine assisted activities provide fantastic opportunities for personal growth. Don’t we want to be the best version of ourselves? To learn, improve, and flourish? Horses can help us with this developmental process in a wonderful and enriching way – at any age.