Life skills are emphasized at the Trail Riders program to encourage youth that may be experiencing difficulty. The Trail Riders work with the Kahv’yoo Spirit Program to give young riders a comfortable environment to learn and grow with horses and friends.
For the elders who started the Trail Riders program in 2009, this was an average day. "This is what we used to do back in the old days," said Gordon Domingo, an elder who supports the program.
Domingo along with Priscilla Antone, Cecil Lewis and Malcolm Eschief had a great motivation to be involved with the youth. "We felt at the time something needs to be done," said Eschief about the problems troubling young community members.
They decided to combine ‘This is what we used to do back in the old days.' their knowledge of O'odham traditions and their affinity for horses to lend a helping hand to some youngsters who needed a little encouragement. "This would be a good horse camp and a culture camp," Eschief said.
The Trail Riders took their first gallop in February of 2010, and what started out with about 5 kids is now upwards of 45-60 youngsters. "We teach these kids to have respect and care for one another, and stay in school," Eschief said.
The elders involved in the Trail Riders program believe that building a fellowship with horses will help young people recognize their own self-worth. "I believe the kids will begin to understand who they are," Domingo said.
The exposure to horses and the outdoors has an immediate effect on young riders. "When they come here, they never misbehave," said Matt Kisto an elder who encourages many kids to participate.
The group usually arrives around 6 a.m. to set up at the Secate Horse Camp. They set up chairs, shade and tables for breakfast. The elders share their stories and the horses share their essence and spirit with the young riders. They forget about their troubles, ride around on horseback and work up an appetite for a hot meal.
The Trail Riders have built up a partnership with another similar fellowship, The Kahv'yoo Spirit program. Andy Miritello, Building Trades Instructor at the Employment & Training Department, is an avid horseman who uses horses as a means of sharing life skills with the youth. Miritello believes in the power of building relationships and connections with horses. "For years I was a horse person and never understood the spirit. I was always seeking the spirit," said Miritello, a Vietnam War veteran.
According to Miritello the spirit part of the horse connects very well with man, and that is something the participants sense right away. "There is a large group of young people who their first exposure is fear of the horse and after they build a connection with them, that changes and turns it into being in a relationship with the horse," Miritello said.
Both programs operate on a volunteer basis and the items for the meals are likewise donated.
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