Horses offer hope to troubled Aboriginal youth

Many youth struggling with an addiction may be neglected by mom or dad, perhaps fighting with their peers and being disrespectful to authority. But a group of researchers say developing a healthy relationship with a horse can help set a troubled young person on a new path.

The researchers – from the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, and the University of Calgary, along with the Cartier Equine Learning Centre, the White Buffalo Inhalant Treatment Centre, National Solvent Abuse representatives, and others – will study the positive effects of equine-assisted learning programs on Aboriginal youth.

“We get the toughest of the tough,” said Tamara Mackinnon from the Cartier Equine Learning Centre located north of Prince Albert. “But we have seen successes.”

Girls from across the country, often ranging between 12 and 17 in age, come to the White Buffalo treatment centre for sniffing solvents. They struggle with issues of identity, belonging, and acceptance.

“They come to us with certain behavior and learning challenges,” said Ernest Sauve, the Executive Director of the treatment centre.

A component of their healing journey is working with horses at the Cartier Equine Learning Centre. “The horses provide a real calming affect on the youth,” added Sauve.

“Every time you are with a horse, it demands respects. Every time you’re working with the horse you teach it something, and it teaches you,” said Mackinnon.
As a result, Mackinnon sees youth developing healthier relationship with people simply because they have learned to lead and respect the horse.

“They have a lot of anger, resentment, and hostility towards themselves, others, and authoritative figures,” said Sauve. “But that changes when they start working with a horse.”

Principle investigator, Colleen Dell, of the University of Saskatchewan said the horse also helps make youth comfortable.

“If you and a human go into counseling there will always be a barrier because it is human to human. With the horse that is gone because there is no verbal communication, which is often a barrier, she noted.
“A child who has been physically abused only knows unhealthy touch but a horse can teach you what healthy touching is. A counselor can’t,” she added.

Dell said it’s also important to recognize the significance of the horse in some First Nations cultures. Incorporating traditional teachings about the horse, she said, will help the teenage girls in their healing.

“There is an exchange of spirits,” she said. “The youth say they just want to be with the horse.”

Dell added the research team, in consultation with elders, organized a ceremonial horse dance to commemorate and bless the beginning of the study.
“It gave the program the direction it needed. We honored the spirit of the horse and we honored the girls in their healing.”

According to Dell, this is the first time research has been conducted on the affects of horse therapy on Aboriginal youth.

“Until now, a lot of it has been anecdotal,” she said. “It’s difficult to measure outcomes, but it’s important to know how effective it is.”

Dell said the team is dedicating two years to the study with the goal of understanding how equine-assisted learning can help youth overcome a solvent addiction by analyzing the behavioral, psychological, emotional, and spiritual changes in the youth.

According to news release, the project is funded by the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, an Alberta-based resource that supports the development of research evidence and policy for child youth and family health and well-being.