EquusEmbrace helps teens

Chaya Johnston does ground work with a horse. By Kathryn Godsiff

Claudia Lamphere, foun-der of EquusEmbrace, knows the spark that can ignite between girls and horses.

A lifelong horsewoman, she has finally found her passion and calling in the unique program which brings teenage girls in contact with kind and gentle horses.

The purpose of EquusEmbrace is to enable adolescent girls to "develop a sense of intuition and confidence, increase in self-esteem and foster a positive body image," all while forming a bond with a horse.

These goals are achieved through a combination of equine-assisted psychotherapy (in which Lamphere is certified) and natural horsemanship principles.

Lamphere has extensive experience in Pat Parelli's horsemanship methods and in centered riding techniques. Both teach an awareness of horse and human body language and control.

The program is brand new and the first class will soon be finishing its session. The first few lessons concentrate on groundwork with the horses, in which the girls learn that through firmness and assertive body language they can control their horses.

"One of the best things about this is that it creates a phenomenal awareness of body for these girls," said Lamphere.

"They are amazed that a 1,000 pound animal can be controlled so easily."

The girls then move on to riding sessions, learning just the basics. Lamphere is quick to point out that it is a growth program, not a riding program.

"We relate everything the girls do with the horses back to life lessons. They learn appropriate assertiveness. A light goes on and they discover an inner power that is untapped in most girls," she said.

Lamphere spent 25 years in the marketing and advertising jungle in Seattle. She was very successful at it, run- ning her own company and managing many employees.

Like many successful people in high-stress occupations, she began to feel that she wasn't truly following her calling. Always involved with horses, she understood firsthand the many physical and mental benefits that horses provide.

Three years ago, she realized "I had to follow my passion, which was part horses, part people."

Lamphere heard about equine-assisted psychotherapy, which involves the use of horses as a tool for emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist and a certified horse professional.

She became certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). EquusEmbrace works with Sisters therapist Caroline Stratton.

Following her move to Sisters a couple of years ago, "everything just fell into place," she said.

Lamphere realizes she can't do it all herself.

"I would love to find volunteers who share this vision for adolescent girls, and who are proficient at setting up web-sites or fundraising, for instance," she said.

Call 548-6331; registrations through SOAR may be made at 549-4177.