'The stress just melts away': group offers equine assisted learning to those in need
When Kristi St-Hilaire feels anxious she pays a visit to her horses — and that sparked an idea.
Freedom Reins, an equine assisted learning program, uses horses to develop coping skills and life skills. St-Hilaire said equine assisted learning is proven to help people with depression, anxiety and PTSD.
"The horses are really therapeutic," she said.
"The program can be catered to anything and it's all done with horses."
It's something she knows first-hand.
St-Hilaire is both a military wife, an educational assistant in schools and has anxiety herself.
She said interacting, brushing and being around her horses really takes a lot of the anxiety away and she knew that could help other people, especially soldiers with PTSD.
"The stress just melts away."
St-Hilaire teaches programs for soldiers, women, and youth through obstacle courses that help with self-esteem, body language, problem solving, and developing relationships.
All together, St-Hilaire has five horses, Sadie River, Autumn, Pylater, Goldie and Butterscotch and three other who share the facility.
She said each horse has its own personality, like Pylater, who she calls a "goof or Butterscotch who is known to take charge of even horses twice her size.
"They're all my favourite for different reasons," she said.
St-Hilaire said horses are able to hear your heartbeat and can almost mimic your feelings, she said, and that is key to the treatment.
"The horses are the teachers," she said.
St-Hilaire's daughter, Lilianne, also helps with the program.
Lilianne St-Hilaire's favourite pony is Goldie, a gift from her grandfather. Goldie also gave birth to Butterscotch, a complete surprise to Lilianne.
"Goldie means a lot to me," she said. "Her and Butterscotch both. When you're in the stall it's like your quiet space. You just sit there and they kind of like talk to you in a way."
Lilianne said she wants to follow her mother and help others through her love of horses.
The group is certified through the Equine Connection - Academy of Equine Assisted Learning and is located on the New Brunswick Exhibition Grounds.
St-Hilaire said there are costs associated with the program but said she wouldn't turn anyone away who is in need.
"I will work with anyone's budget."
