Why do we complicate things?

When I graduated high school in 1999 I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to work with horses and people taking what I loved (horses) and use it as a tool to help people.

Knowing what you want is both a blessing and a curse. If you know what you want to be and there is a program at the university or college level, you apply and hope to be accepted. When you know what you want and you are the first to do it - you get the privilege of finding your own way and are very very rarely accepted.

Everyone takes a different path to a destination even if the destination is the same one. That's how we achieve diversity and a unique identity. It's how each journey belongs solely to the travelers. No two doctors face the same experiences or will have identical career paths even when graduating the same program. No two travelers come back from the same place with the same stories.

My path wasn't clearly defined, there were no parameters or road maps to follow when I set out. So, instead of becoming a student of a university or a college - I lived, without the map.

Every day I work with horses and people, I learn. Learning what not to do is sometimes the most important part of growing. I've learned from every person and animal I've been fortunate enough to work with. The resounding lesson? Simple is always better.

Don't get me wrong, knowledge is power and there is no such thing as bad knowledge. However, when working with people and horses in a capacity to 'help' the KISS principal should always apply. Over thinking and over analyzing are the kiss of death especially when working with kids and horses.

What we do at HJC is classified by many as therapy. I've never used the word, although I do see therapeutic benefits - what I do with horses and people is not therapy. It is far simpler than that, I provide an environment. A basic simple place removed from the normal situations these kids face. We share an experience with a common goal: caring for and learning about horses.

Many programs that exist for kids are for a set period of time, they have a clear and defined goal or an end date. I believe in many cases this is counter-productive. Instead of fostering an almost organic learning curve the curve is steepened pushing for 'breakthrough moments'.

So what do I think kids\teenagers need?

I believe they need a safe space and occasionally an adult to talk to who doesn't judge them. They need structure, consistency, balance and reasonable predictable cause and effect.

To provide this environment on a temporary basis reinforces to children that the rug will be pulled out from underneath them again. When program funding ends, so to will their connection to the program. So to will their connection and relationships formed with horses and staff.

What do horses need?

They need a safe space and responsible people to care for and protect them. They need food, water, shelter and a 'stable' environment (no pun intended). This among many other things make a horse's environment the perfect place for teenagers.

Combining the two elements with an open door policy and a volunteer program so that when funding ends the connection to the place doesn't - allows kids to form relationships knowing they can always come back. They are always welcome at HJC.

Simple.

"Your work is to discover your world and then
with all your heart give yourself to it." - Buddha