Brenda Langendoen doesn’t horse around when she talks about the benefits of equine-human connections.
“It’s indescribable,” says Langendoen, executive director of Horse Sense for Kids. “Horses don’t care what someone is wearing or what they look like. They only care how you treat them. It’s a very honest relationship, which is very refreshing.”
She has lots of anecdotal evidence to back that up. Horse Sense for Kids is an after-school horsemanship program in Fenwick for children and teens who may be experiencing challenges in their lives. It teaches riding skills with an emphasis on creating a connection and a relationship between rider and horse. The program’s pillars are adventure, growth and a deep appreciation for the massive creatures who help carry the load of the rider, both literally and figuratively.
“The whole atmosphere gives them some time away to take a deep breath and have some time away from their worlds,” Langendoen explains. “When this huge horse nuzzles a child, it is so calming and soothing. And when kids open their hearts to horses, they just sense that.”
Key to that magic happening, however, is ensuring a safe environment. Thanks to a mini grant worth $750 from NCF, Horse Sense for Kids was able to purchase several new riding helmets for program participants to use.
Riding helmets can cost as much as $100 each, which could be a barrier to participation if riders had to purchase the safety gear themselves.
“It’s a huge help for us,” Langendoen says. “Helmets are a huge safety piece in our program. They need to be replaced frequently, especially if dropped.”
Having that equipment – and the NCF grant, in particular – contributes to the overall success of the program, she notes.
“To have that positive experience, you need the right environment. It’s creating an environment where kids feel safe, horses feel safe, and that connection can happen at a deep level. There’s a lot of time and effort to make that happen.”
