05-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Namibian programme uses horses to empower children with disabilities
Susan de Meyer runs a project in the African country of Namibia. The programme uses the power and gentleness of horses to help children with conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
De Meyer's dusty paddock is just outside the capital city, Windhoek. Each weekday morning, it is enlivened by a group of eight to 10 children from special schools. The children ride the horses, groom them, stroke them and often, de Meyer says, talk to them.
De Meyer grew up on a farm surrounded by horses. They have always been part of her life.
She says they have an invaluable quality: they don't judge the children, no matter how different they are.
De Meyer's programme, 'Enabling Through the Horse', is supported by the Namibian Equestrian Federation. It won an award last year from the International Equestrian Federation.
Answer: 'Enabling Through the Horse'
