Tsuut'ina riding program uses horses to teach life lessons

On a chilly December night, future cowboys and cowgirls trickle into the Harry DodginghorseMemorial Agriplex, one by one. Some drag saddles along the dirt floor, while others practise throwing a lariat at acalf-shaped target.

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The kids, some as young as six,are part of an after-schoolriding program that has runfive days a week on the Tsuut'inaNationfor the past dozen years.

The programis open to any nation member, young or old, but focuses on teaching kids the basics of horsemanship.Staff guide students by showing them thebasics, from brushing tosaddling a horse, before teaching them to ride.

Cousins Addison and Catori Dodginhorse say they love to ride and play games on horses after each lesson.

"It feels like we're doing exciting things," said Addison.

Her cousin Catorisays she looks forward to class and learns something different each day.

"We are going to do something cool each day we come here," the nine-year-old said.

The riding program offers students a chance to develop basic riding skills through a series of drills and games all run under the watchful eye of riding instructor Wright Bruised Head.

Bruised Head says it started because there was a need for more ropers in the community, butit has since grown into a full riding program.

"They learn everything from the ground up, like how brush a horse, how to catch him and how saddle him, and all that," he said.

Bruised Head, who was recently inducted into the Indian NationalFinals Hall of Fame,says some of his students have gone on to havesuccessful rodeo careers.

He says some of the young riders have even followed in his footsteps, going on to compete at the annualIndian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

The riding instructor says the programis also about having fun and isnot just for the kids.

"I enjoy watching them try to do what I asked them to do out there with these horses." Bruised Head said.

But in addition to having fun and learning how to ride, Bruised Headsays students are taught important life lessons inthe program.

"They learn a lot about responsibility and they own up to making their own mistakes a lot easier," Bruised Head said. "It is important for the kids to learn these lessons to help guide them throughout their life."

JulieDodginghorsewatched as her daughter hoppedonto the back of a horse.

She says the program has helped her daughter deal with a number of issues outside the riding ring.

"It helps with their self-esteem, trust issues," she said.

Dodginghorse saysher daughter is using tools learned at the riding programto be moredisciplined at home andto deal with her anxiety.

"The program speaks for itself," she said, adding it has becomeis an everyday routine for the kids and their attitudes change because they look forward to riding.

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