Applying Equine-Assisted Learning: A Program for At-Risk Youth

The high school dropout rate among at-risk youth is higher than other student populations, leading to the development of non-traditional approaches like Equine-Assisted Learning programs. The specific program for at-risk youth uses Equine-Assisted Learningcombined with conventional education to reduce the high school dropout rate among its participants. The program began in 2002 and,by 2008, the staff observed that all the at-risk youth that participated in this program had graduated from high school. In the program,students partnered with rescue horses, which, in theory, helps the students learn resilience, social-emotional skills, and academicstrategies through deliberate practice, with the goal of transferring these skills and concepts successfully into the classroom. Betweenthe years 2008 and 2022, all 86 at-risk youth participating in the Equine-Assisted Learning program graduated from their traditionalhigh school on time. In addition, 100% of this cohort of students entered post-secondary education or technical job training. Weconclude that the factors identified in the program merit further study to understand the positive effects of Equine-Assisted Learningin reducing the high school dropout rate among at-risk youth.