Our equine program is unique in that it offers opportunities for the youth in our care to develop healthy, connected relationships with horses by learning the horses’ language. Youth learn how to communicate effectively with horses so they can ask for permission and consent vs forcing their agendas. Our focus is on building a safe environment for the horse and youth where all participants have a voice and choice.
In the process of connecting with the horses, the youth experience profound shifts in their understanding of relationships and their role in those relationships. It is a common mistake to suggest that horses are nonjudgemental. Horses are constantly judging their environment for safety, which makes them exceptional judges of character. These abilities
make horses invaluable at bringing the youth to an authentic place within themselves. These interactions provide in-the-moment feedback and opportunities for clients to practice healthy coping and communication skills.
Horses do not care what is in your past, what you are wearing, who your friends are or aren’t; they want to know who you are at the moment. This dynamic is critical for helping participants and instructors support the use of skills needed, in the moment, to be accountable for their behaviors so they can show up for the horses. This is exceptionally empowering and healing for the youth.
Mission: Create a safe, supportive, and caring environment to enhance the development of healthy relationships based on mutual respect, trust, empathy, and honesty.
J Bar J’s Equine Program uses a variety of evidence-based practices to provide experiential learning opportunities for youth within our programs.
Thank you to Pacific Northwest Perspectives for this wonderful article about our program!
~ Student testimonial
Why horses?
- Provides honest and direct feedback
- Addresses every learning style
- Offers real-time opportunities to practice and master skills
- Develops non-coercive connections with the horses
Some of the benefits of J Bar J’s Equine Program:
- Promotes self-advocacy, self-reliance, and self-awareness.
- Skill development through in the moment, real-time scenarios:
- Emotion regulation
- Distress tolerance
- Risk assessment
- Coping skills
- Problem solving
- Cultivates healthy relationships by
- supporting healthy communication skills; promoting assertiveness vs passive or aggressive behaviors
- creating empathy
- requiring honesty
- respecting and setting healthy boundaries
- Master Mindfulness
- Reduces the negative impacts of early childhood trauma
“I gained better insight on personal situations and
Sweetie reminded me of what it was like to show someone that you love them.” ~Youth testimonial