The Medicine Horse Center was founded in 2000 as a traditional therapeutic riding center. (This is the organization\u2019s 20th anniversary, but a celebration has been paused because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Lynne Howarth, the center\u2019s executive director.)<\/p>\n
About five years into their operations, though, Medicine Horse began incorporating social-emotional program.<\/p>\n
Horses are assist with therapeutic and social-emotional support, because unlike humans, they read people \u201cfrom the inside out,\u201d Howarth said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re very adept at reading their environment, because they\u2019re prey animals,\u201d Howarth said. \u201cAnd so they always have to be on the lookout to scan their environment at all times, and to be able to read the energy of what\u2019s going on around them. So it makes them really strong partners in therapeutic or wellness work with people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Horses are also nonjudgmental and honest, and they live in the moment, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHorses teach us that being present and being honest allows for greater communication and a stronger relationship,\u201d Howarth said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s part of what we teach here at Medicine Horse.\u201d They serve all ages, but their programs center primarily around youth and youth wellness, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAware\u201d \u2013 Actions, Words, Accountability, Respect, and Empathy \u2013 is one of the main programs at the Medicine Horse Center. With partial funding provided by a grant from the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation, Medicine Horse has now taken Aware online with the creation of \u201cR U Aware?\u201d<\/p>\n
The video series features themes related to social-emotional well-being, from mindfulness and breathing exercises to ideas for connecting with others from a safe distance \u2013 6 feet, or about a pony\u2019s length, according to the series. In the second episode, viewers visit Rocky Draw Farm in Lewis and learn \u201clessons from a horse\u201d as Tyler Willbanks tacks up his team of Clydesdales and discs his field.<\/p>\n
Some of the videos will be interactive. For example, Medicine Horse just posted a video featuring a horse drumming circle, in which kids are invited to drum along.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe horses are so fun to watch, it grabs their attention, it\u2019s interactive,\u201d Finch said. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve ended every single video with a prompt, a question, that either educators or caretakers can work with the kids to bring out that discussion a little more.\u201d<\/p>\n
The creators also use the opportunity to remind young people of safe practices. In Episode No. 3, Bronco, a cross between a miniature horse and Shetland pony, demonstrates proper 20-second hand-washing techniques and reminds viewers to cough into their elbows, not touch their faces and stay home \u2013 with a little help from staff member Zoe Coleman.<\/p>\n