Maidstone girls supported by horses through Kent Police course
One 13-year-old said she struggled to attend school prior to the course. She said: "I'm quite a naughty kid in school."My mental health was quite bad because of stuff that went on and my attendance. I never liked going in to school, but now my attendance is really good this term."
The course also looks at issues such as self-esteem and drink spiking.Alongside learning to look after the horses, the girls also learn how to read body language and trust their instincts.Jo Considine, an equine assisted learning practitioner from Tutsham Academy, said horses were "like mirrors." and were "really good at responding to emotions"."If you're walking a horse and you're nervous or you're not clear with it, it will eat the grass while you're walking it, but as soon as you start saying to it, 'no, I'm asking you to walk', and be firm, the horse responds," she said.
Kent Police PCSO Kirsty Greaves, who set up the initiative, said education was key to keeping young girls safe. "We hope that by educating young girls about potential risks and teaching them to identify dangerous and risky situations and behaviours, we can reduce their risk of being exploited," she said.
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