YOUTH AT RISK

South Africa has many thousands of youths at risk who have drug and/or alcohol abuse problems or are in trouble with the law. Their emotional and behavioral problems are barriers to their learning and development, and this poses a challenge for the country: how best to ensure that a large number of the next generation is socialized effectively so that they can contribute, rather than become a burden to a developing nation.

Poverty, drugs and violence adversely affect youth’s attitudes and norms regarding acceptability of behavior. These are the same youth who fall outside the framework of the formal educational system and are not participating in “normal” adolescent experiences of school or work environments. These circumstances affect their ability to internalise basic social values and cause them to become alienated from society.

Research also shows that the sexual behaviors that put youth at increased risk for HIV often occur in the context of substance use. Consequently, there is a call for comprehensive and co-ordinated interventions that create awareness and enhance behavior change.

BREAKING NEW GROUND WITH THE MONTROSE FOUNDATION

One of our core purposes at Montrose Equine is to provide emotional support, growth and learning to young people through the miraculous power of horses, irrespective of race, cultural diversity or religion. With the intention of empowering lives and making a meaningful contribution towards social upliftment, we have entered into a joint initiative with the Montrose Foundation to ensure a significant impact is made in positively transitioning these young people back into society.

What Is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)?

Equine-assisted therapy is now an internationally-recognized intervention, known to be especially effective in helping young people with issues of low self-esteem, communication, regulation of behavior, problem-solving and coping skills. Horses have an extraordinary ability to read the body language and mirror the inner struggles of clients. Equine Assisted Therapy is a powerful way of helping these young people to find their own internal controls and ability to manage difficult feelings and difficult situations.

What Is Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)?

EAL is a leading edge accelerated learning process that uses horses not as tools, but as active participants that help to facilitate the learning experience. This powerful learning experience involves both working with horses and professional facilitators. THERE IS NO HORSE RIDING OR HORSE EXPERIENCE INVOLVED for participants.

Why is EAL so effective for young people?

As social animals horses provide valuable insight into youth who are struggling, and can assist them in dealing with a variety behavioral and addiction problems. Including horses as part of the learning experience is an especially powerful method of addressing issues such as impulsivity, poor decision making, difficulty accepting responsibility, argumentative behavior and difficulty handling frustration.

EAP also does not require youth to be verbal about their thoughts and feelings; instead it allows them the opportunity to try out new behaviors and get feedback from an unbiased source: the horse.

1. Human communication is 93% non-verbal

2. Most of our energy goes into words which only account for 7%

3. This is what makes horses so pertinent - 100% of their communication is non-verbal

4. Horses don’t understand words!

5. You can’t smooth-talk them, play politics with them, fool them or intimidate them

Why use horses in human training?

EAL provides the opportunity of working with a large, living, breathing, reacting creature creates an environment of constantly changing and evolving experiences.

1.Horses mirror exactly what human body language is telling them

2.Horses are acutely perceptive, totally honest and have no hidden agendas - offering unconditional reactions to your emotions

3.Horses have as many individual personalities, physical abilities and limitations as the humans they are working with

4.Horses’ sensitivity to nonverbal stimuli gives them an amazing ability to read people and reflect these emotional states offering observable and physical feedback

5.The Horse’s natural responsiveness empowers people to discover and accomplish their goals

6.Learning to safely and effectively work around them requires patience, trust, compassion, awareness, and self-confidence.

7.Horses don’t care about a race, gender, background or title! With horses on your team, you can feel totally free to participate to the fullest. Horses offer us opportunities to learn what we need to change.

What to expect

1. There is NO HORSE RIDING OR HORSE EXPERIENCE involved

2. Ground based activities involving horses – designed to focus participants on predetermined issues

3. Activities equip the participant or group to apply certain skills

4. Activities are designed to reveal important insights

What do the programmes consist of?

1. Pre-assessment

2. Orientation and observation

3. Ground based Equine activities with specific objectives

4. Processing and reflection

5. Ground based Equine activities – working with new insights

6. Post -assessment

7. Report provision

Safety!

1. Professionally trained facilitators

2. Emotionally and physically safe environment

3. Carefully selected horses

4. Confidential and quiet environment

Our facilitators

All sessions are facilitated by professionals in their respective fields:

1. Youth care professionals

2. Mental Health professionals

3. Corporate development professionals

4. Equine professionals

The core of our facilitators holds EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association) Certification and use the EAGALA methodology. We are also members of EAPISA (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Institute of South Africa).

Behavior Modification Programme

Programme Outline

1. Safety and structure

2. Belonging

3. Respect

4. Tolerance

5. Responsibility

6. Self awareness

7. Discipline

8. Stress Management

Bookings: Office@montroseequine.co.za

Drug Awareness Programme

Programme Outline:

1. Peer pressure

2. Self awareness

3. Taking responsibility

4. Coping skills

5. Stress management

6. Decision making skills

7. Using positive resources

Bookings: Office@montroseequine.co.za

Self worth Programme

Programme Outline:

1. Life dynamics

2. Role models

3. Decision making skills

4. Communication skills

5. Taking responsibility

6. Listening skills

7. Problem solving skills

8. Creativity

Bookings: Office@montroseequine.co.za

The essence of our programmes

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the young and troubled people who pass through the programmes at Montrose Equine are equipped and adequately enter their reintegration process with the following abilities:

1. The ability and motivation…to cope with situations

2. The ability and motivation…to gain the skills necessary for employment

3. The ability and motivation…to respect differences among groups and individuals

4. The ability and motivation…to ensure current and future physical health

5. The ability and motivation…to learn, think and problem-solve

6. The ability and motivation…to work in a team and to sustain relationships.

Funding

In order to fulfill our goals and to provide these programmes to the large number of youths who truly need to enroll in these programmes, we need funding from sponsors. Together we can make a difference in creating safer communities by empowering our youth to become part of the solution.

The dedication and objectives of the Montrose Equine Services Youth Development Programme is to make a positive difference to our nation so as to increase the quality of life for all individuals and communities. Ultimately, by assisting us through sponsorship, you will be investing in the enhancement and the well-being of our South Africa. Our society impacts all of our lives whether directly or indirectly.
Our efforts are supported through the Montrose Foundation that relies on the generosity of people like you. Please make a donation today and make a difference.

LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (HOLDING THE REINS)

1. Listening skills

2. Communication skills

3. Stress management

4. Time management and planning

5. Creativity

LEARNING DIFFICAULTIES (BRIDLE YOUR HORSEPOWER)

Addresses the following outcomes:
1. ADHD/ADD

2. Dyslexia

3. Self esteem

4. Managing NOT curing

5. Listening skills

6. Communication skills

7. Stress management skills

8. Creativity

9. Behaviour

THE ESSENCE OF OUR PROGRAMMES

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the young and troubled people who pass through the programmes at Montrose Equine Services are equipped and adequately enter their reintegration process with the following abilities:

1. The ability and motivation…to cope with situations

2. The ability and motivation…to gain the skills necessary for employment

3. The ability and motivation…to respect differences among groups and individuals

4. The ability and motivation…to ensure current and future physical health

5. The ability and motivation…to learn, think and problem-solve

6. The ability and motivation…to work in a team and to sustain relationships

FUNDING

In order to fulfill our goals and to provide these programmes to the large number of youths who truly need to enroll in these programmes, we need funding from sponsors. Together we can make a difference in creating safer communities by empowering our youth to become part of the solution.

The dedication and objectives of the Montrose Equine Services Youth Development Programme is to make a positive difference to our nation so as to increase the quality of life for all individuals and communities. Ultimately, by assisting us through sponsorship, you will be investing in the enhancement and the well-being of our South Africa. Our society impacts all of our lives whether directly or indirectly.
Our efforts are supported through the Montrose Foundation that relies on the generosity of people like you. Please make a donation today and make a difference.