Horses Help Kids Living on the Edge
How Wild Horses Make a Difference with At Risk Kids
Australia's wild horses have had a checkered history. Once revered as an animal of strength, courage and stamina -- as depicted in Banjo Patterson's poem, The Man From Snowy River -- the brumby soon became one of the country's pests. Culling was the only way of controlling the rapidly expanding numbers of wild horses, which were depriving farm stock of food during droughts, and damaging the delicate environment with their scraping and pounding hooves. Only a small percentage of horses were caught and domesticated.
One horse handler who saw the uniqueness and value of the brumby was Greg Powell. But he didn't just stop with taming wild horses. When approached by youth workers helping kids trapped in dysfunctional lives, Greg saw the possibility of wild horses being the catalyst for change. From this initial idea was born the Kalandan Brumby Program.
The Brumby's Unique Contribution
Many programs around the world focus on using domesticated horses to help troubled teenagers learn solid life skills. Through close contact with horses, kids who know nothing about normal relationships, responsibility and respect, realise the value of these virtues. The hope, then, is that this new learning will be integrated into their own lives.
When wild horses enter the scene, they mirror an element that is common amongst kids living on the streets, delving into drugs and alcohol, and dabbling in crime. They don't trust anyone. Gaining the brumby's trust is the first hurdle to overcome.
Wild horses have to learn what is wanted of them, and often react unpredictably. It is another challenge for kids on the brumby program to resist resorting to familiar behaviours of anger and frustration when things go wrong. Instead, they have to use different approaches and problem-solving skills to overcome the challenges of training an animal that sees humans as potential threats.
Building Relationships with Horses
Greg Powell stands by his belief that "a special relationship with a horse can only be achieved through mutual trust and understanding and not fear and intimidation". The Brumby Program, started in 2003, aims to build the non-existent self-esteem of at risk kids by being able to tame a brumby through kindness, patience, persistence and consistency.
The Kalandan Brumby Program
The Kalandan Brumby Program, based in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, aims to encourage disconnected at-risk kids to rejoin society and live normal lives by teaching them solid life and social skills. Practical hands-on work with the horses forms a large part of the program. Theoretical lectures and reflective feedback on how the new knowledge relates to, and can be applied to everyday life is also a major component.
The groups are small to allow for one-on-one instruction. Apart from this form of support, each teenager works with another participant on set daily activities, as well as mentoring others on the camp. This fosters teamwork and leadership skills.
Once initial assessment of each teenager's personality is completed, the work with the horses begins. The first task is to gain the brumby's trust, or wait for it to "lock on", a feat which requires much patience. Once this is achieved, kids move on to roping techniques using the hand as gentle guidance, then finally learning to ride bareback where the legs replace the hands in making requests of the horse.
Wild Horses, Wild Kids
A documentary of Greg Powell's work with kids at risk -- Wild Horses, Wild Kids -- was made in 2004. Since then, he has worked hard to establish The Kalandan Foundation as a recognised charity which will continue the Brumby Program.
Horses and kids form strong bonds
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