Riding can be very therapeutic for kids and teens. A youth that interacts with his or her horse may extend this interaction to others and form meaningful relationships with people. Building a relationship with an animal is very rewarding in many respects. For youth with emotional, social or psychological disabilities, the trust and loyalty of an animal demonstrates to them how important they are. They may then apply this newly acquired self-esteem to personal relationships. A horse may also help a youth feel in control of his or her situation, since in dealing with horses there is a distinct relationship between action and reaction. To learn how to care for (and ride) a horse, a youth must also be able to communicate effectively with both horse and instructor. In this way riding is a social activity, but may be less daunting to those uncomfortable in social situations. Riding a horse is also a unique experience and it helps empower a person and enable them to connect with others on a personal level. The sometimes-unpredictable nature of animals and their situations also creates a real-life environment in which a youth can confront his or her fears, and adjust to situations beyond their control.
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