3/01/2018

The Choctaw Nation Tomorrow’s Hope Project successfully partnered with a local Equine Therapy program to offer eligible Choctaw Nation members a chance to work with horses as therapy. The program lasted from August through September of 2017 and created a partnership with the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester.

The non-profit organization T.E.A.M (Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester), lead by certified Equine Therapy trainer Mandy Carter, has been a staple within the McAlester community for over 10 years. Carter and her horses she refers to as her “co-workers”, provide therapy for many that soon find animals such as horses to have positive effects on participants.

The Equine Therapy program was funded by the Tomorrow’s Hope project for specifically chosen participants in the program within a certain age range.

One participant stated this opportunity to interact with the horses raised their awareness and respect for all animals.

“I enjoyed it. It was really relaxing and it motivated me to do more stuff with horses, and dogs and cats,” the tribal member stated.

The equine program lasted for two months, meeting weekly, and allowed participants to realize “this isn’t a pony show”, Carter stated, but may take many weeks before participants ride the horses, but learn to interact, pay attention, read non-verbal cues through grooming and hand-walking the horses as well as cleaning stalls which provides a sense of responsibility and care for animals.

The Choctaw Nation, as many tribes, have a long, rich history with horses and have traditions that the program’s participants were able to witness first-hand. Just as their ancestors, the bond these majestic creatures have with their handlers is spectacular to see.

“That I just touched a horse. How many people get to do that?” one participant stated. “I accomplished something that many don’t get to do.”

The sense of responsibility learned by participants, all within the ages of 10 and 24, was a common theme within the corral, and the value of working with these horses to build confidence and independence by working together in a group and helping take care of these animals were also lessons learned.

“I learned that I can accomplish more things if I tried,” stated one participant. “I was even invited to help assist with other groups and other participants.”

Remember healing can come in many different forms.

For more information on counseling services, please contact Choctaw Nation Behavioral Health at 918-567-3065 or McAlester Wind Horse at 918-302-0052.

“This newspaper article was developed, in part, under grant number 5H79SM062902-03 from SAMHSA. The views, opinions and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of CMHS, SAMHSA, or HHS, and should not be construed as such.”