For nearly 40 years, Patricia Kelly and her team at Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. (EHI) have navigated a new frontier and brought equine-assisted therapy to the urban areas of Hartford, CT. Since 1984, they have served the youth, families, adults, and military veterans in their community through equine-assisted psychotherapy, therapeutic riding, and a variety of youth programs. Kelly, the Founder, President, and CEO of EHI understood early on in her life that there was a connection between horses and humans, and strove to find a way to support those around her by utilizing that strong connection.
“My dream was to level the playing field for inner-city youth, to give them access to the same opportunities, resources, equine-based programming, and equine-assisted therapy as their suburban counterparts,” Kelly reflects. She knew in her heart that this would become a life-altering and enriching experience for everyone who became involved.
Kelly and a small group of therapists became certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA) in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. The program gave scientific support to the connection between horses and humans that Kelly had recognized so early on. “The trainings were wonderful,” Kelly says, “But, it became quite apparent that, wherever we went, whatever training we attended, we were the only people of color (POC) attending these conferences.”
Kelly took a look at the lack of POC in the equine-assisted psychotherapy community and knew that there was so much additional education that could be provided. “Cultural competency is critical when it comes to serving POC in any situation, but particularly therapy,” she explains. Kelly began asking hard questions—such as, ‘Who out in the equine therapy market is culturally competent?’ She quickly saw a gap and realized that she was uniquely qualified to make a difference and bring change.
And so, Ebony Horsewomen, Inc., with Kelly at the helm, was founded in 1984 to heal, encourage, and enable people to lead healthful and positive lives by using horses. From one-on-one therapy sessions to large outreach and awareness projects, the focus is always on serving the local community and paving the way for a better tomorrow. “There is a huge need for our services,” Kelly explains. “We have adults and children who are being referred to us by nearly every clinical agency and hospital in Connecticut because traditional talk therapy is not working for those individuals.” EHI serves over 350 youth annually, with a waiting list for therapy sessions.
In addition to their hands-on services, EHI has expanded to offer advanced, credited, professional development programs for therapists, horse specialists, and college students. They have developed a six-week program, called Culturally Competent Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (CEAP) Certification, which presents a myriad of information about the evolution of the horse and their ability to help diagnose and treat mental illness. It is the first of its kind in the equine psychotherapy community. The training program addresses the differences in breeds of horses, as well as the differences that certain atmospheres can have on the horses, for example, urban centers vs suburban areas. Additionally, the program spends a lot of time looking at perceived and real biases surrounding gender, race, and culture. “When talking about cultural competency, we aren’t just talking about Black and white,” Kelly explains. The mental health professional needs to be able to address various subcultures and put aside any biases that may exist in order to connect with the client and provide the best diagnosis and treatment possible.
A devoted horsewoman throughout her life, Kelly has been riding since she was a child. Her passion for horses has led her to connect deeply with these incredible animals. She sees how horses can pick up on an individual’s energy quickly and accurately. This was what drew her to equine-assisted psychotherapy. For Kelly, bringing equine-assisted psychotherapy into the inner city was a natural fit. “I am a veteran of the Marines,” she says, “And, my job was working with veterans in legal services. Because of my experiences, I know the trauma that occurs with veterans. The military drills into you to be strong and silent and handle it, but unfortunately, that approach doesn’t promote a healing environment. Traditional talk therapy doesn’t always work—Being closed up in a room and asking questions can trigger someone… being with horses outside is not a trigger.” Kelly noticed that veterans became more comfortable talking to the horses, and the horses helped them to lower the guard rails and allow the therapist to work with the client.
“Children have the same protective factors as those veterans do,” Kelly continues. “They can close down and become aggressive or simply tell you what they think you want to hear… Neither of these will help get through to the child. Children tend to feel safer outside, especially when they begin to develop relationships with the horses. Once the kids feel confident around the horses, they open up and the therapist can ask questions that the child can relate to the horse and to themselves.” Kelly has found that for many children in the urban center, equine-assisted psychotherapy is a better fit than traditional therapy models.
The EHI program has expanded to include direct services and professional development, as well as community youth programs, a riding school, and cultural awareness programs. They are located at the historical landmark in the heart of Hartford, CT, at Keney Park, a 693-acre park that was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the American landscape architect who also designed Central Park in New York City. The park features 25 miles of well-maintained trails throughout the park’s wooded area for riders to explore in addition to the spacious stables, with indoor and outdoor riding rings.
The expansive facility provides an opportunity for a unique riding experience for many of the youth: the Junior Mounted Patrol. Working with the State of Connecticut Park Patrol, young men and women train to be Park Rangers. They divide the park up into zones and patrol the park, either on horseback or bike, depending on their skill set. The Junior Mounted Patrol has been instrumental in alerting the police and the Department of Public Works about fires, littering, or unusual circumstances in the park. They also help to educate the public about the incredible historical significance of the park.
“When you run a facility like ours, you are busy from day to night,” Kelly says with a laugh, “But I wouldn’t change it for anything.” With 18 horses on the property, as well as a myriad of farm animals, including goats, rabbits, chickens, and more, EHI brings connection and community to the beautiful park. “There have been many people who have thought I was white because a Black woman running an equestrian facility is a foreign concept to many,” she continues, “but breaking down barriers is just one of the many things that we do here.”
In addition to their healing work, EHI is striving to bring more cultural awareness to the equestrian community. In the spring of 2023, ground will be broken on the Mary Fields Museum and Training Program. Named after the first Black woman stagecoach driver from Montana, the museum will showcase the history of African American people and their contributions throughout pioneering times.” One out of every three American cowboys were Black,” Kelly explains, “But they have been erased from history. This museum will now tell their stories.” The digital museum will have ever-changing exhibits that pay homage to the incredible Black men and women throughout history. This project, over five years in the making, is one of the many reasons that Kelly has been inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame; additionally, Kelly was named to CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2014.
The inaugural Black Boots Awards ceremony was held at EHI in early 2023, providing national recognition of Black equestrians. Drawing horse enthusiasts from all over the country, the Black Boots Awards highlighted the accomplishments and athleticism of Black equestrians in an array of disciplines. The event was a huge success, and plans are underway to hold the event again in 2024.
You can watch the ceremony here:
Another one of their incredible awareness projects highlighted the contributions of those a bit closer to home. The Heroines of Hartford project paid tribute to eight incredible women in the community, both past and present, who have dedicated their lives to making Hartford a better place; paintings of the women were commissioned by a local artist and now hang on EHI’s exterior fencing. Future projects include a farrier apprentice school in 2024 so that youth from EHI can develop a trade while in the program.
While the program runs a variety of fundraisers, donations are greatly appreciated. “We have a lot going on at the center, but the truth is, most of our community kids can’t afford this. We don’t force payment, we only ask that parents pay what they can. The people in our community are hard-working people that want their kids to have as many opportunities as possible, and we want the kids to come to get the services they need,” Kelly says. If you are interested in donating to the nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit equine therapy organization, urban riding, and wellness center, you can do so on the Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. website.
Kelly summarizes it best: “Pushing forward through obstacles and challenges, Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. has not only progressed, but broke barriers, stereotypes, and thrived to become the only organization of its kind in America.”