A Join the Herd Q&A
In this blog, we sit down with our Program Operations Manager and Manager of Social Emotional Learning to explore how this 12-session program empowers girls to find their voice and rebuild confidence through equine therapy. This short-term program helps build confidence, self-awareness, and healthy relationship skills.
Q: What is Join the Herd?
A: Join the Herd is a 12-session Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program. Participants work with therapists, equine specialists, and horses to build self-awareness, communication skills, and healthy boundaries.
Q: Why horses?
A: As prey animals, horses are attuned to human emotion and energy, making them extremely effective in demonstrating relational boundaries for participants. Many of our rescue horses share similar journeys of hardship and healing, creating a powerful bond.
Q: Who can join?
A: CORRAL serves girls ages 11–17 who are facing challenges such as family instability, academic struggles, aggressive behavior, or court involvement. Many have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse.
Q: What skills do girls learn through the program?
A: Girls typically learn to increase self-awareness through practicing mindfulness skills, learning the differences between assertive, aggressive, and passive communication skills, setting healthy boundaries, practicing speaking up for themselves and asking for help, and engaging in healthy communication skills.
Q: What does a typical session look like?
A: We start Join the Herd with a coping skill or a mindfulness skill. The Equine Manager or an Equine Specialist leads the teens in a horse skill that’s tied to an overarching theme (which the skill supports) and then participants meet with their horse partners in the ring to try it out. Staff, interns, and ES’ float to support.
Q: What are some of the biggest changes you see in participants from start to finish?
A: As staff, we see participants open up, come into themselves more, become more confident, and more assertive.
Q: How do families notice growth at home or in school?
A: Parents often say that their child is seemingly more confident, more engaged in the family, and less passive.
Q: How do you support girls who might be hesitant to open up or participate at first?
A: We always start with relationship first. When someone seems hesitant to open up or participate, we attempt to engage with them one-on-one; offer individualized support. Sometimes the opposite approach works better and we might pair a participant up with another participant with similar interests or personalities. We also always offer choice. If someone is not interested in sharing or participating, we do not force them. They’re given the option to opt out, and that’s a respected decision. We meet participants where they are and support them from there.
Q: What’s the commitment for families?
A: Participants complete 12 sessions (24 total hours) at CORRAL. We encourage consistent attendance. Our team provides weekly updates and resources to help families stay connected.
Q: How can a family or professional refer a girl?
A: The easiest way is through our website at corralriding.org/refer-a-girl. You can also email us at info@corralriding.org or call 919-355-2090. We’ll guide you through the process and help determine if Join the Herd is the right fit.
Every girl deserves the chance to heal and thrive. Through Join the Herd, we’ve seen hundreds of girls take their first steps toward brighter futures, and it all starts with one conversation. If you know a girl who could benefit from this kind of program, reach out today.
