The best way to help children not become victims of bullies is by teaching them bully-proofing skills. Victims of bullies usually exhibit poor communication skills and tend to be left out of activities, leaving them isolated. Our equine assisted learning programs have proven to be ideal for a child who exhibits anti-social communication skills as they provide training in social skills which improves communication skills, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellness, self-esteem, and encourages sensory stimulation and ultimately, integration.

 

WHY CREATE MORE VICTIMS?

A child with bullying issues may be just as much a victim in his own life as the child he directs his aggression towards. Many bullies are children who have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, suffering from neurological disabilities, or abused children themselves. Our equine programs are ideal for a child who exhibits aggressive behavior by promoting positive leadership skills, developing choice-making skills and goal-setting skills and encouraging responsibility, creativity and laughter.

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

VICTIMS OF BULLIES 

Our equine programs have proven to be ideal for a child who exhibits anti-social communication skills as they provide training in social skills which improves communication skills, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellness, self-esteem, and encourages sensory stimulation and ultimately, integration. 

​THE BULLY

Our equine programs are ideal for a child who exhibits aggressive behavior by promoting positive leadership skills, empathy, developing kindness and choice-making skills and encouraging responsibility, creativity and laughter. The youth that teachers, counselors and the principal feel display behavioural issues, or who are withdrawn, will benefit most from the program.

 

 

 

BULLYING ISSUES CAN BE SOLVED THROUGH EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING

The news is filled with stories about teen bullies and their victims. We see videos directed towards the victims, such as the "It Gets Better" series of PSA's. What we don't see is the flipside, life from the bully's perspective. A child with bullying issues may be just as much a victim in his own life as the child he directs his aggression towards. Many bullies are children who have been overlooked, misdiagnosed, suffering from neurological disabilities, or abused children themselves. Our equine programs are ideal for a child who exhibits aggressive behavior and anti-social communication skills.

 

 

THE CALMING EFFECTS OF HORSES

Equine programs have been used in prison systems to help inmates learn gentility, trust, and compassion. Violent inmates have been given the task of caring for retired racehorses that would otherwise be put down. Over time, these inmates became more docile, more responsible for their duties and actions, and displayed a willingness to engage in behavioral therapies. These high-strung Thoroughbred horses were well taken care of, retrained for riding purposes, and displayed a change in temperament, as well. Creating a bond between animal and caregiver has proven to work "miracles". For the aggressive or anti-social child, equine therapy can make all the difference in the world.

Horses are prey animals. They are able to sense aggression even if it is not exhibited outwardly. Their prey animal nature makes them one of the most responsive animals to human interaction; watching, observing, and reacting to their human caregiver. Working with horses teaches children that they will accomplish more though being assertive in a positive way rather than forcing their way through life and being aggressive.

 

FROM ANGER TO PEACE

Equine Assisted Learning programs are wonderful for helping troubled children and teens re-establish themselves as confident and assertive young people without the need for aggression. Many of thebullying issues in children and teenagers are brought about from living for an extended period of time in difficult circumstances. There may even be cases of abuse and neglect that have forced a child to react to the world with aggression and mistrust. Often the only refuge for a person who has been abused is to become the abuser themselves.

An equine program is one of the most remarkable forms of therapy that you can give to a child who is in danger of becoming a statistic. Research has shown that people who are in contact with animals, even for short period of time, experience a better quality of health, as well as a more stable and measured outlook on life. Being around a friendly and responsive animal significantly decreases the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Many children and young people with bullying issues have raised levels of cortisol and live in a continual cycle of stress. The same is true for a victim of bullying; just being around horses can raise the levels of confidence and assertion within a timid child.

Children with bullying issues who attend the formal teaching and equine assisted learning programs here at Equine Connection have shown a significant improvement in a short period of time. This type of therapy works almost miraculous results and has been used effectively by state funded juvenile departments as away to reach out to children who are on the edge, and those are the ones that we need to save.