Rakitna Youth Centre in Preserje in western Slovenia has over 80 years of experience in treating young people with respiratory problems. Now, the centre has been awarded a €380,000 grant from Norway to expand its activities to equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) - using horses as a therapeutic tool to promote emotional growth in children and teenagers with eating disorders or other mental health problems.
According to project psychologist Katarina Mavec, EAP can be a highly successful form of treatment for children suffering from mental health issues. "We see that children treated with EAP are more active participants in their own treatment. The horses also calm down the children, helping them to concentrate and focus," said Mavec. The new therapeutic activities include both preventative treatment and longer term rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
Through the therapy, children at Rakitna Youth Centre learn about themselves and others through structured activities with the horses. Children can mirror some of what they experience with the horses to other people and issues in their lives. The riding also has a positive impact on the children's self image. "The therapeutic riding helps the children grow a strong sense of achievement, independence and self respect," Mavec commented.
The project is also aiming to raise awareness about emotional problems in children and youth. "We still have a long way to go before people fully understand the importance of mental health problems in children," Mavec concluded.