“The horses of these green pastures … play around and make my troubles feel close to an end, even though I know they have just begun. When I look into their eyes, I know the exact same struggles, heartaches and pain … I do believe magic happens in these fields, and if you ask me why, although I have many things to say … it?s in the way they make me feel.” Jessica, a young teen participant in the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program, penned these poignant words.
They are echoed by other teenage girls enrolled in the five-year-old program, located at the Lost & Found Horse Rescue Foundation, about 45 minutes north of Baltimore, just over the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. They partner with the Girl?s Center Children?s Home of York.
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Currently, 14 girls ranging in age from 13 to 17 have been placed by the courts into this local residential treatment program. Typical placement ranges from 6 to 9 months. Many have been sexually abused, some have eating disorders.
And an alarming number self-mutilate, cutting themselves with razors or knives or burning themselves with cigarettes. Either way, visible scars proclaim their torment and loss of self-esteem.
When program director Tracy Young asked one girl why she cut herself so much, she responded that it dulled the pain inside her.
Tracy Young himself is a victim of sexual abuse. This October, the strapping former Marine celebrates 19 years of sobriety ? set free from years of alcohol and drug abuse.
He and his wife Kelly, both devout Christians, operate the non-profit rescue operation, where they literally redeem horses from the slaughter pens, or from abusive situations. Some of the horses have been physically injured ?all have been rejected.
The EAP program matches horses with girls to build trust, self-confidence and responsibility.
“The girls have been given the message that they are worthless, always in trouble, can?t behave,” said Tracy Young.
As a result, “negative behavior kicks in ? the sex and drugs and alcohol, the truancy, rape and crime, the mutilation and suicidal behavior.”
As part of the program this summer, the Youngs asked the girls to care for a beautiful chestnut Mustang mare, whom the girls named Sweet Spirit (Sweetie for short). She was rescued from the kill pen in terrible shape. The person who sold her to slaughter had glued down her mane to prevent a buyer from realizing it was an illegal sale. Underneath her mane is a special brand, identifying her as a protected wild Mustang, who could not have been sold without her title.
The girls have been given a list of goals to achieve with Sweetie. During their weekly morning sessions, they are presented with different situations and brainstorm possible solutions.
Horses are like people in so many ways. You have to earn their trust, their friendship and love.
They tend to run away from what threatens or frightens them. They can lash out in anger with hard hooves and sharp teeth. Sometimes they turn their back and give you the silent treatment. The girls discuss these equine actions and reactions, often comparing them with their own survival techniques.
Recently, I shared pizza and conversation with these girls after one of their sessions. Without exception, they were all bright and each had her own special charm.
Yes, they were streetwise, and worldly beyond their years.
But they had love and pride in their accomplishments with Sweetie. I saw the hope of new horizons.
For further information on Lost & Found Horse Rescue Foundation and/or the Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program, visit www.lfhr.org.
Brooke Gunning is the author of several regional best-sellers, including “Maryland Thoroughbred Racing,” “Baltimore?s Halcyon Days” and “Towson and the Villages of Ruxton and Lutherville.” She currently is at work on her next book.
