Horsey Heroes: Teen and Horses Help Kids with ADHD

By Celena Delaney

All of us horsepeople seem to love Sir Winston Churchill’s quote: “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” We don’t really understand why horses affect us the way that they do – all we know is that truer words were never spoken.

Fifteen-year-old Danielle Herb and her mother, Marianne St. Clair, are taking advantage of that positive influence horses have on people and using it to help people who are affected by ADHD – including the families of youth with ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurological syndrome that causes a higher degree of distractibility and impulsiveness, and a lower tolerance for boredom and frustration than their peers. About 2-10% of schoolchildren and 2-7% of adults have ADHD. There are many different philosophies on how to manage it – drugs, diet, therapy. Now, through Danielle’s Drop Your Reins program, horses are helping people affected by ADHD not just to cope with the syndrome, but to really change their lives.

Danielle Herb was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5, and her mother, Marianne St. Clair, was determined to take a holistic approach to help her daughter. As she got older, Danielle realized how much her exploration of natural horsemanship was helping her deal with her ADHD – and is now sharing this information with others struggling with ADHD. The dynamic duo help families affected by ADHD to find alternative healing methods, including interacting with horses.

Drop Your Reins is a ‘youth to youth program’ for kids age 8-14 that is designed to overcome fears and challenges, develop healthy relationships, build trust, become more confident, and explore leadership. Sounds a little like a natural horsemanship clinic, doesn’t it?

For more information on Danielle’s inspiring Drop Your Reins program visit her website: http://www.dropyourreins.com/.

Celena Delaney is an avid natural horsewoman, co-founder of the Super Natural Horses website, and writer of Wild Hearts, a blog about natural horsemanship.

This article is part of the Super Natural Horses January 2010 newsletter.

ARTICLE ADDED SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010
CATEGORY: HORSE THERAPY

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Horsey Heroes: Teen and Horses Help Kids with ADHD

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