The Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor is teaming up with the Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation to provide local young people some experience with the animals. Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation board member Sally Bogert tells WSJM News the group runs a farm in Three Oaks and teaches young people all about the horses. She’s seen the difference horses make in children, helping them improve social skills, confidence, and responsibility.
“If you’re frightened, your horse will be frightened,” Bogert said. “If you’re calm, your horse will be calm. If you’re happy, your horse will be happy. They really are sensitive to the child, and I’ve seen horses cuddle the children and really reflect what the child is feeling, and build the child’s confidence.”
Starting this weekend, some youths from the Benton Harbor Boys and Girls Club will take part in the Spring Creek Horses Help Foundation program.
“We have eight girls, ages nine to 13, who are going to start this Saturday, October 2, and they’ll come to the barn for the first time. We’ll start with lunch…and then they’ll be here for three hours to start learning about horses.”
Bogert says the girls are all in the free lunch program at school, and so they’ll be given good meals before starting their three hour session. They’re also being provided with apparel and scholarships for the program’s cost. They’ll return on four consecutive Saturdays to learn about grooming, feeding, and riding their horses.
