Middle School Students Find Healing Through Horses in Larimer County Program

Ten Thompson School District middle schoolers are learning to navigate life's challenges with help from an unexpected set of teachers — horses at a West Loveland nonprofit that specializes in helping youth overcome trauma and mental health struggles.

The students participate in Changing Leads, an eight-week equine-assisted learning program at Hearts & Horses that pairs young people with horses and trained volunteers to build confidence, empathy and emotional regulation skills. The program serves students from all six Thompson School District middle schools who may be isolated, have experienced trauma, or struggle to find where they belong.

"I have had families who said this program saved their child's life," said Tamara Merritt, Hearts & Horses' director of Program Innovation & Research.

The program operates as one example of how Larimer County's dedicated behavioral health sales tax supports community mental health services. Hearts & Horses received a $50,000 Impact Fund grant from Larimer County Behavioral Health Services in 2025, part of $17.7 million distributed to 77 organizations since the grant program began in 2019.

Learning Neuroscience From Equine Partners

During an October 6 session, students learned about the human and horse brain, focusing on how emotions affect the ability to think clearly and make good decisions. When people experience anger, anxiety or fear, those feelings originate in the limbic system, sometimes called the "downstairs" brain. During these moments, accessing the "upstairs" brain where emotions are controlled and decisions are made becomes difficult.

The lesson introduced the "six-second pause" — a technique where students name six things they like when experiencing big feelings. This brief interruption allows the brain to calm the limbic system and engage the analytical cortex, enabling more thoughtful responses to challenging situations.

Research suggests interactions with horses trigger oxytocin release and promote mindfulness, creating opportunities for safe nervous system regulation particularly beneficial for youth with trauma or disrupted attachment, according to studies published in Frontiers in Psychology.

For horses, a similar pause called a half-halt helps them navigate obstacles carefully rather than stumbling. Students practice these concepts while leading, riding and sometimes braiding the manes of their equine partners.

Building Skills for Life

Cora Peterson, 13, and Claira Bothwell-Church, 12, both attend Riverview PK-8 in Johnstown. Peterson described meeting her horse Roxy as instant connection. "You know when you make new friends? It's like that. It was like a snap."

Bothwell-Church is practicing patience with her horse Hippie, a skill the oldest of four siblings feels she struggles with. Peterson values learning about empathy because "it's good to know how people are feeling" so she can help.

Students track their emotional states weekly using a "Mood Meter." Most who arrive feeling disappointed or upset leave feeling focused or thoughtful. Teachers report students returning to school after sessions appear regulated, calm and ready to learn.

Lauren Hansen, a mental health and social-emotional learning specialist with Thompson School District, observed the October session as a first-time chaperone. "Even in the hour I've been watching them, it gives them this sense of confidence and a place to belong," she said.

Hansen emphasized the preventive value of early intervention. "As a taxpayer, as a parent, I wouldn't want my money going anywhere else," she said. "These are people who will live in the community for the next 30 to 40 years," becoming leaders who make decisions about Larimer County's future.

Community Investment Makes Participation Possible

Kaylee Peterson, Cora's mother, described her daughter as having a big heart, loyal and intelligent, but sometimes guarded and selective in extending empathy beyond close relationships. When the family learned about Changing Leads, they worried about cost but discovered participation was covered entirely through scholarships funded by community investment.

"It's really awesome that we live in a county that puts money into programs that work with behavioral health," Kaylee Peterson said.

Funding for the program comes from multiple sources including private donations and the Larimer County Impact Fund grant. The county's behavioral health funding stems from a 0.25 percent sales tax approved by voters in 2018, generating approximately $18 million to $20 million annually, according to Larimer County budget documents.

The Impact Fund Grant Program distributes funding annually through a competitive application process evaluated by county staff, community stakeholders and subject matter experts. In 2024, over $3.1 million was awarded to 30 organizations. Grant amounts typically range from $10,000 to over $500,000 depending on program scope.

Research Supports Equine-Assisted Approaches

A 2021 meta-analysis published in Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal found statistically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and social isolation among youth participating in equine-assisted therapy. The interventions typically combine groundwork activities like grooming and leading horses with guided therapeutic or psychoeducational sessions.

Hearts & Horses, founded in 1997, serves more than 300 clients annually across all programs, including youth facing mental health challenges, veterans, and people with disabilities. The Changing Leads program specifically targets middle school students during a critical period of brain development.

Merritt noted the significance of reaching students during adolescence. "Many adults don't have these tools or are learning them later in life," she said, making early intervention particularly impactful.

School counselors identify students who might benefit from the program each year. Transportation is provided, removing a common barrier to access for families who might otherwise struggle to participate.

Expanding Behavioral Health Resources

The county's behavioral health tax also funds construction and operation of the Longview Behavioral Health Campus acute care facility, which provides 24-hour services for people of all ages experiencing mental health crises.

Mental health crisis services remain available countywide through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, with coordination between crisis counselors and emergency responders when situations require immediate intervention.

The horses at Hearts & Horses continue providing lessons in patience, empathy and self-regulation to students like Peterson and Bothwell-Church, who are learning skills that extend far beyond the arena.