Renewal and revitalization can take many forms. Add horses to the picture, and the process can be downright powerful.
Case in point: Detroit, Michigan, a city renowned for a different kind of horsepower. Here, equine-assisted education is bringing opportunity and life lessons to under-resourced urban youth, many of whom had never envisioned themselves on horses before. As if that isn’t powerful enough, how about turning a demolished city school site into the country’s largest urban equestrian center for youth development?
It’s all in a day’s work at the aptly named Detroit Horse Power (DHP), the subject of Equine Network Productions’ new documentary film, “Youth Power: Some Experiences You Only Get Once.” Presented by Boehringer Ingelheim, this extraordinary glimpse into DHP’s innovative programs is set to debut during Horse Week, Oct. 20-26, 2024.
“We are excited to provide a different perspective for our Horse Week 2024 Feature Film,” says Leah Beck, assistant producer for Video and Creative Services with Equine Network Productions. “We hope our Detroit Horse Power documentary will give audiences a real-life point of view into the lives of these students and the impact that learning through horses has on their future.”
The programs
Now in its ninth year and always looking forward, DHP is the non-profit brainchild of David Silver, who has a background in not only urban education but competitive three-day eventing. As the organization’s executive director, he strives to build student confidence and character, bridging racial divides and expanding horizons through a combination of classroom activities and instruction, barn chores, horse care and, of course, riding.
As DHP’s website proclaims, its programs teach students “ … how to ride and take care of horses, and offers exposure to guest speakers representing various equine professions.” But the most important lessons are what horses can teach these students about themselves: “the confidence that comes from riding, taking responsibility for another living being, not giving up when things get hard, and more.”
It is this combination of social-emotional skills that DHP believes will help these inner-city youth flourish in both school and life. Silver himself has been quoted as saying that students with greater competencies in these areas are more likely to graduate with higher educations and do well in their chosen careers.
DHP serves middle- and high-school students representing a number of neighborhoods across Detroit. The organization offers an afterschool program and summer camp activities, both designed to give students the freedom and confidence to dream big.
“During our afterschool program, which is held at the classroom, students engage with our PERCS (Perseverance, Empathy, Responsible risk-taking, Confidence and Self-control) curriculum and put the learnings into action,” explains Development Director Ciara Ginyard. “The PERCS traits are key youth development areas that students can grow in and are nurtured through the interactions that they have with horses.
“The traits are important with navigating through life as youth grow to be productive young adults,” she continues. “Additionally, students also learn more about practical horse-riding experience while at the classroom, which can include how to groom a horse, the correct way to tack a horse, horse anatomy and care, and so much more.”
Then there are those coveted hours in the saddle. To hear the students describe it, riding time is precious, and cultivating relationships with horses gives them joy and peace. Many students also praise DHP for its welcoming environment and consider it a “safe place.”
As part of the DHP programs, older students also “pay it forward” by helping with younger students. “It’s a proud moment to see our more seasoned students direct our new/beginner participants,” Ginyard says. “This past year we had our largest cohort of graduating seniors: six. The class of 2025 will consist of five seniors.”
So meaningful are DHP programs to these youth that sometimes graduates even return to help out. “It’s been amazing to grow our alumni base,” she continues. “For the first time, we have a program alumna who is in college studying to become a veterinarian and [who] also serves on the Board. This summer, three of our most recent alumni are working as summer camp counselors.”
With successes like that, it’s no wonder that DHP has grown by leaps and bounds under Silver’s direction. An organization that started out working with 18 youth now works with about 100 students annually, with still more wait-listed due to limited space.
The need for a facility of their own has been apparent for some time. While DHP’s afterschool program has been held in its classroom at the former Marygrove College campus, the organization has been relying on partner stables outside the city for the horses and arenas it requires. “During the school year and summer, we partner with Michigan barns who help provide space for our students to obtain real horse-riding experience,” Ginyard confirms.
But all that is about to change. In 2019, DHP reached an agreement with the Detroit Public Schools Community District that constituted a major step toward Silver’s long-term goal of “bringing horses to the city.” On a 14-acre site where an old school building once stood, DHP is now preparing to begin construction on a “transformational” equestrian center—possibly the largest urban facility of its kind in the country—with groundbreaking tentatively set for October.
According to Ginyard, the center will cost an estimated $11.4 million to build. Initial plans call for administrative spaces and a media center, not to mention an indoor arena, several outdoor riding areas, and paddocks for the horses.
Besides being an investment in the community, such a facility will enable DHP to impact a greater number of young people for generations to come. “With the new facility our capacity will grow to 500 [students] annually,” Ginyard predicts.
The film
“Youth Power: Some Experiences You Only Get Once” opens with a day in the life of some students of DHP. You’ll get a unique peek at their experiences, from the challenges and opportunities at home and school to a place of mentoring, emotional growth and enrichment with the help of horses.
Also explored are DHP’s educational programs, as well as the sense of community and belonging that lie at the core of this initiative. Thoughts from the director and DHP’s dedicated team of instructors offer further insight. Last but not least, the film takes a look at one of DHP’s key missions: promoting diversity and equality while empowering students to break through barriers in the equine industry.
“The Equine Network Productions team spent three days with the Detroit Horse Power community and their students in Detroit, Michigan, for the filming of the Horse Week feature film presented by Boehringer Ingelheim,” recalls Beck. “While there, we were able to speak with various program directors who have a true passion and love for the students of Detroit. It was a very moving experience to learn how much dedication the DHP team has in working to provide free afterschool programs to the youth in the city.”
The production team’s favorite experience? “Their equine learning summer camps were the highlight of our Horse Week feature film documentary,” Beck says. “The students that participated in this week-long summer camp let us see into their lives for a short period while we attended camp at Big Lake Farm and got to know each of them.
“We were honored to learn about each of the student’s personal journeys through the program and watch them improve throughout the week.”
For her part, Ginyard says she is “ … really excited for the experience of DHP students to be shared, as many will be able to connect. And for others, they will have the opportunity to learn about an important and unique niche that provides endless benefits to urban youth.
“We hope our program inspires other cities to provide similar program opportunities and encourage urban youth that being an equestrian is cool, and most importantly, FUN!”
