LA HUNTA, CO–Fjord Horses may have been bred for pulling and plowing, but the staff at the Colorado Boys Ranch will tell you: They’re born therapists.
 The three adult mares and three youngsters that Longtheway donated to CBR YouthConnect in 2005 are mainstays of the horsemanship program, in which at-risk boys learn not only the fundamentals of horsemanship but key lessons about teamwork, self-control and trust.
Fjords possess all the essential qualities of an effective therapy horse. Thanks to centuries of careful breeding, they’re people-oriented and playful, quick to learn and ready to work. Moreover, Fjords possess a strength and patience that allow them to perform well in a variety of situations.
The combination of sociability and gentleness, says CBRYC, “ignites warmth in even the most withdrawn boys, putting them at east and increasing their willingness to reach out and take risks without fear.”
About CBR YouthConnect
 Each year, more than 120 youth from all ethnic cultures, geographic and socio-economic backgrounds are admitted to CBR YouthConnect, a national program for psychiatric treatment and education of adolescents. Many come from broken, dysfunctional homes and have suffered severe physical, emotional and sexual abuse, compounded by medical and psychiatric problems.
CBRYC is the last resort for many of these youth. Yet even for the most difficult to treat, the program has achieved a remarkable success rate. All but a small percentage of program participants are able to turn their lives around at CBRYC and avoid delinquency, becoming hopeful and productive citizens.
Visit www.coloradoboysranch.org to learn more, give a gift, or donate to the YouthConnect program.
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