(submitted photo/Holistic Healing Farm Youth Project with Horses)

By Nicole Reis

EQUINE THERAPY

Loon Lake residents report benefits from horse therapy

Aug 10, 2020 | 6:11 PM

Equine therapy involves more than simply feeding or petting a horse.

Massage therapist Juanita Prosser developed Holistic Healing Farm Youth Project with Horses after recognizing the healing capacity of animals herself. Growing up and confiding in horses during times of trouble, she recognized the calming effects offered by the animal and wanted to share with her community of Loon Lake.

“We’re bringing youth out to get the healing from the animal themselves,” Prosser told meadowlakeNOW. “If they’re feeling troubled and don’t want to speak to a person, or if they would like their information kept confidential, they can communicate with the animal.”

Prosser explained horses have what could be described as a sixth-sense and an ability to read what is going on with children. Horses often choose the children they wish to stay with and are equipped with a nurturing instinct and an aptitude toward labour and companionship, she said. She added the animal have an instinct to communicate with people to help them to focus inward or and bring peace to them.

“We often have kids who come out and want to speak to the horse because they don’t want to speak with us, at this point,” Prosser said. “One of the horses will come straight to them and they will spend their time with that child.”

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Equine therapy is an expressive form of therapy which includes horses and a specialist psychologist or counsellor working together with a client to create positive change. A therapist is specifically trained in Equine Assisted Therapy in conjunction with traditional training in the mental health field. Equine therapy often includes a number of beneficial activities such as observing, handling, grooming, and structured exercises focused on the youth or adolescent needs.

“It’s just been remarkable what I’ve seen,” Prosser said. “The communication between the animals and the kids was far beyond what I even expect it to be.”

Some youth in the area have reported feeling troubled, having issues at home or at school, and some directly or indirectly affected by suicide. She said some youth carrying some aggression arrived on her farm and within hours were calmed by the animal.

While the program has been two years in development, Prosser wants to make the program available to everyone thorough a facility available 24/7. She said she is in the process of discussing funding for the program with Meadow Lake Tribal Council to accommodate more people.

(submitted photo/Holistic Healing Farm Youth Project with Horses)

Farideh Angus, participates in equine therapy with her daughter. She said she and her daughter have found the sessions incredibly helpful. Angus suggested the local suicide rate could be as high as it is due to a lack of activities and opportunities in Loon Lake.

“Sometimes a child doesn’t want to open up to their parents,” Angus said. “Horses have helped the youth open up so much more.”

Angus said for a brief period, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation offered the program for youth earlier this year, though the program has since been cancelled. She said there is so much more involved in the therapy than feeding and petting horses.

“Some kids who attend may feel blocks in feeling or receiving love, these horses show them that,” she said. “[They] are very loving people. It’s the only thing the kids have right now.”

Members from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation were contacted though did not immediately respond.

Juanita Prosser can be contacted at (306) 819-9244 for further information. Additional information can be found here.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722