Finding Hope, Angelica’s Story: A foster mom called me because her foster-daughter had become increasingly violent. Angelica’s early years had been filled with neglect and abuse of all kinds—physical, sexual, and emotional. This was her eighth placement in ten years. Every time she got close to her new family, it aroused agitated, aggressive, and even violent responses. Traditional counseling methods did nothing to help.

I asked Angelica to put a halter on Sage, a seasoned 12-year old mustang. Whenever she got close enough to Sage to put the halter on, Sage retreated. As this pattern continued, I asked Angelica, “What does Sage need from you so that she will let you put the halter on?” Angelica thought quietly about it for a very long time. “She needs to know I won’t hurt her, and then she can trust me.” Angelica then took her time to wait for the horse to come to her, and was able complete the task. This interaction was pivotal for Angelica. She may not have realized that Sage was identifying her own issues; it doesn’t matter. What does matters is that this young woman took an incredible risk to open herself up to Sage and learned that she herself could be trustworthy and lovable. Angelica’s foster mother has told us that there have been no further instances of aggression since the session at Medicine Horse Ranch.

Finding Acceptance, Roberto’s Story: This young adolescent was asked to pay attention to his body language, and move toward one of the program horses with slow, focused attention. Obviously struggling with the task, I walked over and asked Roberto which horse drew his attention. Sedona, our 18-year old Arabian was the object of his affections, but Roberto was afraid she didn’t like him. I coached him to talk directly about his feelings to Sedona. To his amazement, she lowered his head to meet his. The young man wrapped his arms around her neck and buried his head in her mane. Sedona responded instantly by wrapping her neck around his body, as a mare would do with a foal. Our horses will often use this gesture when sensing a deep hurt or loss in the human heart. After receiving Sedona’s generous “hug,” Roberto later admitted that he had been suspended from school and declared his intention to improve his grades and his attitude.