Equine Program

Equine-Assisted Learning and Therapy Program

At The Marsh Foundation, we believe in the power of connection, healing, and personal growth. Our Equine-Assisted Learning and Therapy Program uses horses as therapeutic partners to help youth build life skills, develop emotional intelligence, and foster deeper connections with themselves and others. Through this program, we offer both Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to support youth in overcoming personal challenges and preparing for brighter futures.

Program Overview

The Equine Program at The Marsh Foundation integrates horses into a therapeutic setting, where youth can experience hands-on learning and emotional growth. The program is designed to help youth develop key skills such as:

<b>Self-Regulation: </b>Horses respond to human behavior and help youth learn how to manage emotions, make thoughtful decisions, and respond appropriately to challenging situations.

Self-Regulation: Horses respond to human behavior and help youth learn how to manage emotions, make thoughtful decisions, and respond appropriately to challenging situations.

Communication: Working with horses requires clear and effective communication, which helps youth improve both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Confidence and Self-Esteem: Through hands on equine activities, youth gain confidence in their abilities, boosting self-esteem and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Teamwork and Leadership: The collaborative nature of equine activities promotes teamwork, builds leadership skills, and encourages trust-building within group settings.

Our therapeutic sessions, led by licensed equine-assisted therapists and trained professionals, are customized to meet the individual needs of each participant. The program is especially beneficial for youth dealing with trauma, behavioral challenges, or emotional difficulties.

A Rich History of Impact

For more than 25 years, The Marsh Foundation’s equine program was a summer-only offering, where we leased horses from the University of Findlay to provide riding lessons and horse care skills to youth in our group homes and the community. The summer program allowed students to experience the joy and responsibility of caring for horses, culminating in an annual horse show where they showcased their riding skills before returning to school. We saw significant positive change in the youth who participated, noting improved behaviors and faster progress in their treatment.

Recognizing the impact that these experiences had on the youth, we decided to explore the possibility of expanding the program into a year-round initiative. We trained case managers and program supervisors and piloted an Equine-Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy (EAL/EAP) program over two summers. The results were clear: youth involved in the program showed faster progress in treatment, developed strong problem-solving and communication skills, built emotional connections, and healed attachment issues.

Expansion and Sustainability

With the success of the pilot program, The Marsh Foundation Trustees formed a Sustainability Committee to assess the potential for growing the equine program. After extensive work on budgets, staffing, policies, and facilities, it was clear that we needed an indoor space to provide year-round opportunities for our youth. The committee secured funding from the Van Wert County Foundation and Tri-County Board, which enabled us to expand the program with more horses and additional personnel to ensure its success.

The Future of the Equine Program

We are excited to announce that we are currently under construction of a new state-of-the-art equine facility, which will include an indoor arena, 30 horse stalls, viewing areas, conference space, and offices. This facility will allow us to serve a larger number of youth, offering not only equine therapy but also job skills training, fostering community partnerships, and supporting the youth in our care as they develop the skills needed for independence.

We’ve already expanded our services to the community, including a teen community group made up of youth from five local schools and collaborations with other mental health agencies to support their youth through equine therapy. Our vision is to continue growing the program to serve even more youth from our group homes, provide job training through horse care and other farm-based skills, and open doors to new opportunities through initiatives like 4-H and expanded wellness programs.

Support the Equine Program

The success of this program relies heavily on the support of individuals and organizations who believe in the life-changing potential of equine-assisted therapy. Your donation will help us complete the construction of our new facility, provide ongoing care for our therapeutic horses, and ensure that more youth in our community and group homes benefit from this transformative experience. Every contribution, big or small, helps us provide healing, growth, and hope for the youth we serve.

Make a lasting impact today by donating to support the growth of our Equine Program.

For more information or questions, please reach out to Abigail Neville, Director of Equine Services via button below.

Donate Contact Abigail