The North Central New Mexico community needs sports and safe spaces for youth, especially where prevention and recovery of substance abuse, mental health issues, suicide, isolation and social exclusion are ongoing issues in the region.
Taos County and the State of New Mexico has alarming data showing the need to find solutions for these afflictions: teenagers in New Mexico are 37.04% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen; 8.41% of all 12- to 17-year-olds used alcohol in the last month; New Mexico has the third-highest number of alcohol-related deaths per capita among all the states, 23.4% higher than Alaska’s per capita death rate, which is the nation’s second-highest; an average of 1,581 annual deaths in New Mexico are attributable to excessive alcohol use; the 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in New Mexico increased by as much as 36.0% from 2015 to 2019; in New Mexico depression diagnosed by a healthcare professional was 18.2% of the population; rate of suicide attempts nationally is 8.9 attempts per 100 adolescents; New Mexico had a crude suicide rate of 24.6 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2020; adults with frequent mental distress is estimated at about 14.1%. We need to implement alternatives to these problems in NNM, including horse assisted therapy which is endorsed by SAMHA with grants for deterrence.
Horse Assisted Therapy (HAT) and Equine Sport
Participation in horse-assisted therapy (HAT) for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is rarely reported. However, the Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), University of Oslo implemented studies which showed improved treatment retention and the importance of the patient–horse relationships. Participants described HAT as a “break from usual treatment” ...with aspects of this experience, namely “change of focus”, “activity”, “identity”, and “motivation,” suggest HAT is more than just a break from usual SUD treatment. The stable environment is portrayed as a context where participants could construct a positive self: one which is useful, responsible, and accepted; more fundamentally, a different self from the “patient/self” receiving treatment for a problem. The implications extend well beyond animal-assisted or other adjunct therapies.” Although our grant will not offer live animals, the ultimate goal is to recruit horses to the sport, and train youths to eventually learn horsemanship and use program horses in the future.
In the prevention of anxiety, substance abuse, addiction, suicide and social withdrawal, especially in high risk populations such as youth and veterans, there are immense benefits to going through the process of learning new skills, caring for living creatures, and participation in group events in a safe environment. Working on facilitating calm thoughts during anxious moments can be a key factor in treating anxiety disorders and horses, horse riding, and caring for horses provide an innovative way to experience growth. HAT provides a great way to engage in fun, healthy activities. Riding horses provides fantastic physical exercise, while those who don't want to ride engage in some grooming and feeding. Stroking a horse’s mane or flank provides a safe physical touch from an empathetic animal and the responsibility of caring for an animal has proven to increase self-esteem and worth.
The value of sports, especially for youth, has long been touted in our country as a deterrent to negative behaviors and a foundation for social inclusion. Besides HAT, MMH implements classes not only for equestrian basics but to teach and maintain traditions practiced for thousands of years by Native Americans, Europeans, Hispanic, Turkish, Mongolian, Hungarian and Arabic cultures. Activities organized include: Tournaments, special events, clinics and classes; in a safe, alcohol and drug-free zone. This also presents a sober community space for youth and family to bond and create positive experiences.