Nearly 80% of foster children have significant mental health needs, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders.
Foster children are twice as likely to experience PTSD as a U.S. Combat veteran.
Less than 50% of children in foster care receive needed mental health services.
Foster children have been reported to exhibit an increase in adverse behaviors ranging from nightmares, anxiety, excessive crying, sadness, disappointment, and withdrawal to antisocial and physical behaviors such as hitting, screaming, kicking, and biting. These behaviors are typically the result of their exposure to unsafe and uncertain environments, not because they are “bad.”
Children in our Blazing New Trails Program can benefit from the emotional support and empowerment that equine-assisted therapies offer. The human-horse bond, along with the sense of accomplishment and self-esteem derived from collaborating with horses, can contribute to emotional regulation and improved mental well-being.
This program addresses common challenges faced by foster and adopted children, including, but not limited to, instability, attachment injuries, grief, and identity confusion.
How our Blazing New Trails Program supports foster children:
Horses provide a non-verbal, judgment-free connection, which helps children build trust and feel safe.
Caring for and bonding with horses promotes responsibility, self-regulation, and confidence, which are all critical for children who feel powerless.
Equine-assisted therapy has been shown to improve emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social skills in foster children.
Offers a consistent, calming environment that counteracts the instability and emotional upheaval often experienced in foster care.
At Emerald M, we do more than allow a child to visit and pet a horse. We become a part of their community and provide a reliable, safe place where they can explore and grow