Horses help victims of bullying find right path

HUMBOLDT, Ariz. - Feb. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Bandit and Trinity are old hands at helping kids find their confidence. The two rescued horses overcame their own issues and now live and work at the Pathfinder Ranch in Dewey assisting young victims of bullying learn self-confidence, safety and how to set safe boundaries.

The horses' counterparts Georgia Benyk, a certified equine interactive professional, and her assistant Leilani Essenberg provide activities to help the kids learn how to create a personal, bully-free zone.

"In this line of work you need two people, one who is watching the horse and the other who can watch the people," Benyk explained.

In the Bully Free Zone program that Benyk created, the youth soon learn that the horses can read their body language, "and if these kids don't look like a leader, the horses won't listen to them," Benyk said. "Kids that are victimized don't feel good about themselves; you can spot them a mile away by their posture and body language. They become huge targets."

The youth join Bandit and Trinity in the arena for a series of exercises that reveal equine behavior and allow participants to relate to the horse with which they most identify. In many cases, Benyk explained, one animal will be the alpha, or aggressor, and the other will be the victim.

"It's all experiential, how the child reacts relationally with that horse," Essenberg, an experienced equestrian, said.

She added that equine-assisted activities promote attention to social cues, body language and personal space.

"One of the things we do is ask the child to ground tie the horse," Essenberg said, meaning the horse stands still after the lead rope is dropped. Then, the child will walk around the horse in three consecutive circles without the horse moving. This action helps the youth establish contact while maintaining a safe boundary.

Benyk worked for many years as a psychotherapist in private practice before getting her own horse. She said it seemed natural to move towards equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Bullies and victims are similar in that they both typically have self-esteem issues, Benyk said. Often the bully's behavior reinforces the negative feelings the victim feels about himself. Conversely, the bully's bravado says, "in order to like myself, I have to put you down."

Before and after each session, the participants talk about the day's lesson and what they hope to gain from their experience. Parents are invited to join in, as this involvement helps Benyk see the family dynamics.

Sessions typically take from four to six weeks, lasting an hour and a half per session.

"We know through research that to change a habit, it takes four to six weeks," Benyk said.

No horse experience is necessary and no riding is involved. Each session costs $25.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 928-458-6315.

www.bullyfreezone.net

Article reprint from Prescott Valley Tribune by Briana Lonas