The Urban Equine Connection Program (UECP), co-founded by Kim Hallin, Kim Mills and JaKiyah Mills, offers a unique and powerful healing experience for children and families from inner-city or suburban neighborhoods. Operated out of Kim Hallin’s personal farm in Ravenel, SC, the goals of the program are:
- to give children and families who have no other access to horses an opportunity to learn about the natural lives of these amazing animals. Participants are not taught to ride or train the horses, but rather are guided in how to observe and interact safely with the horses without any means of physical control. The horses are living outside as a herd and are free to interact (or not) according to their own instincts. Participants are taught what horses actually are (and are not), while being supported in overcoming any fears or misconceptions they may have held.
- to nurture empathy, as well as love and respect for self and others, by facilitating safe, impactful and often life-changing experiences for children and families. The power of this program lies in the magic of bringing horses and humans together who (individually and collectively) share the experience of struggling to cope effectively in a domestic world they can’t control and that is often full of external pressures, expectations, labels and judgements.
- to provide a safe, intimate, friendly, respectful and enjoyable experience where authentic connection is built based on empathy, freedom of choice, freedom of expression, mutual curiosity and a deep sense of wonder and exploration.
- to facilitate organic heartfelt interactions that are positive and healing for both the humans and the horses.
One of the most important factors when facilitating transformational therapeutic experiences is a safe, relaxing and calm environment where vulnerability feels natural. Being in the presence of horses and outside in the natural world can really help with this.
Any new experience that changes long-standing perceptions and opens new levels of awareness is transformational and deeply empowering. When someone is also given the opportunity to realize that a fear they’ve been harboring is based largely in misunderstanding or misperception, it becomes easier to see new potential in other places as well – including within themselves and others.
From there, the possibilities are endless.
For more information visit: www.unbridled.guru/urban-equine-connection-program.html
Prospective participants can inquire with Kim Mills at (828) 423-2778.
If you are interested in sponsoring a session, contact Kim Hallin at (843) 478-8947.