Horse Whisperer Calms Young Offenders

Young offenders are being helped back on the straight and narrow – by horses. The animals are sensitive enough to pick up the innermost feelings of those near them. Their reaction can have a life-changing effect. A recent course proved successful and plans are now under way to repeat the operation with another group of offenders. The horses are also helping children with learning difficulties.

The programmes have been developed by Gentle Leadership at Midmar in Aberdeenshire which provides a range of courses. Through activities which require the teams to work with the horses, participants find how their motivations and body language affect those around them.

Aidan and Beth Duff, who own the company, were approached by Apex, which works with young offenders to divert them away from crime. “The youngsters realise they can’t mess around when they are faced with a large horse,” said Mr Duff.

He described one occasion when a girl was leading a horse around the arena, some boys became disruptive and the animal began to speed up. “I told them to lower their tone. The horse began to slow down. One guy who was there said he realised then how he could avoid fights escalating by trying to calm situations – that was the moment realisation dawned for him.”