KAYSVILLE—Utah State University Extension Davis County is offering a unique way to teach kids resilience and bolster their confidence to meet the challenges of life through the Resiliency Wranglers Equine Experience. In this four week program, kids ages 12-15 have the opportunity to build these skills by making a connection with a horse.

“It focuses on giving adolescents the tools to develop resiliency while working alongside horses,” said Allie Garlick, Equine Assisted Services Extension Assistant Professor Davis/Salt Lake counties. “We talk about making connections, building character and confidence and what that looks like.”

It’s a hero’s journey, she said. “We all go through different experiences. Some positive and some negative things happen to us in our lives. We try to figure out how to do that as we connect with horses.”

Garlick said they have four wonderful horses at the Agricultural Heritage Center. “Kids come and learn how to problem solve if the horse does something unexpected or challenging. They work with other kids to team build as they’re working with the horses as well.”

There’s no riding in the program, she said. “We do what we call groundwork to facilitate interaction with the horse in a safe way. Participants learn how to halter the horse and lead it through obstacles and focus on building a relationship with the horse and the rest of them.”

Kids leave with some kind of challenge for the week, said Garlick. “It can be a list of their best supporters or mentors, characteristics they’d like to develop. Become more honest or persistent, or a better friend. If they recognize that they lack confidence they can build on that.”

The extension also has the one day Horse Powered Reading program. “It focuses on literacy,” Garlick said. “There’s one for kids 5-7 and another for kids 8-10 years old. They learn to brush and walk the horses and do interactive games and activities with the horse while focusing on vocabulary.”

The next Horse Powered Reading event is July 9 and July 30. The cost is $25. Visit extension.usu.edu/Davis/ to register.

Although Garlick is a licensed therapist she said that is not her role in the Wranglers Experience. “We focus more on it as an experience not therapy. It’s more learning about mental health and wellness principals and education. We have some volunteers who are professionals in mental health but they come more from the volunteer standpoint rather than as a therapist.”

They currently have four horses. “We’re working toward getting more,” said Garlick. “We have a rigorous assessment when we look for horses for the program. If an individual has a horse they want to donate it has to love to work and be able to engage with people. They work hard. It’s a big job for the horses.”

Once a horse is donated USU takes over ownership, she said. “We have a beautiful pasture with space for the horses to live on the property.”

Garlick said she’s not only excited about the programs for USU. “For me personally I’m super excited to be here in Davis County. It’s fun to see some of the successes (of the program). I hope we can offer more programs in the future.”

The Resiliency Wranglers program is two hours once a week for four weeks. The cost is $100. The next series is Aug. 13, Aug. 20, Aug. 27, Sept. 3 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Wednesdays). Space is limited to six. Register at extension.usu.edu/Davis/.