Horses Helping Teens

Positive Opportunities is a horsemanship program designed to support at-risk youth.  This program uses outdoor equestrian activities to challenge participants, to learn new skills, and to support successful personal development.  This is an experiential model, meaning it provides opportunities to “learn through doing”.   While learning to work with horses, the participant has fun and participates in a new adventure at the same time that he/she is given opportunities to increase personal awareness, self-esteem and empathy, and to experience positive social interactions.

Horses have specifically been chosen as the foundation of this program because they have a unique ability to mirror and reflect information to the people working with them.  When children, adolescents, and adults work with horses they have the opportunity for fun and to discover through their relationships with animals more about themselves.

Many of the ideas and activities may be new to parents, teachers, therapists, and participants.  Positive Opportunities is designed to “stand alone” as a form of experiential learning and community support for adolescents and adults.  It is also designed to be a valuable adjunct to existing mental health services.   Participants will get involved in a new and positive environment where exposure to challenge and positive opportunities offers occasions to practice new skills and work on personal goals.