HORSENSE YOUTH PROGRAM

Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills for Young People

Our Youth program is based on the "Horses Helping Humans™" model and Equine Assisted Skills Development (EASD) from Ripple FX™.

Our HORSENSE Youth Programme:

  • Uses simple horsemanship techniques to teach communication skills and body language awareness.

  • Based on mutual respect and trust between horse and handler.

  • Fun, interactive, and progressive.

  • Emphasises the use of calm assertiveness to encourage a horse to willingly respond.

  • Grounding experience for the benefit of both horse and human.

  • Is an activity-based program designed to build confidence, empathy, respect, social skills, boundary-setting, and self-awareness.

  • Develops talking, listening, body language, and comprehension skills.

  • Participants are encouraged to find their own solutions to difficult challenges whilst learning about themselves and their equine partners.

Pairing the right horse with each participant.

Our horses have a character unique to them, they are very funny!

Young people are guided and learn various handling techniques.

Young people build confidence through handling Horses.

Client Testimonials

  • “The equine day was a really positive experience for a young person I am working with at headspace. The day taught him emotion regulation skills, trust and connection by bonding with the horse and learning to pick up on non verbal communication. This one day achieved more than what was possible over weeks in the therapy room! Thankyou”

    — Lisa J from Headspace

  • “We have been fortunate to participate in two Horses for Causes programs in the past two years, with very different groups of students. Without exception, every student has benefited from their time with the amazing staff (humans and equine!) and come away from their experience with new skills, confidence and trust in themselves as to what can be achieved, both as individuals and as a team. The kindness, patience, and professionalism displayed by all staff, as well as the incredible grounds and facilities make this a program that we wholeheartedly recommend.”

    — Amanda Wrangles, Crib Point Primary School

  • “At headspace, we work with young people 12-25 years old who are experiencing a range of mental health challenges. As part of our recovery group program, we have engaged with Horses For Causes on many occasions. It has been incredible to see the impact of this program on the young people we work with and their mental health.”

    — Clinician from Headspace

  • "Over the past two years, several schools have participated in the Equine Assisted Learning program offered by Horses for Causes with the support of funding through School Focused Youth Service. I have attended some of these sessions and have been impressed with the professionalism and commitment of the staff and volunteers. Their encouragement and obvious delight at the achievements of the students indicates their passion. To see students who had too much anxiety to go near the horses develop a connection with them through strategies that they have then been able to translate into their relationships with their peers and teachers is truly amazing. This is a program for which schools are asking for more."

    - JUDI ADAMS | School Focused Youth Service Coordinator, Mornington Peninsula Shire