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Meredith Finch, 12, enjoys spending selective school days with horse Deimos. (SIMON FULLER)

There’s no horsing around at The Horse Connection.

The non-profit organization has spent the last eight years working in partnership with Pembina Trails School Division by offering at-risk students hands-on experience through horse-oriented programs.

These programs allow youth, from Grades 6 to 9, to use horses as a valuable vehicle to develop personal and life skills — such as self-confidence, self-esteem and leadership — and stay connected to their education.

The students are picked up from school and driven out to the stable, which becomes their classroom for the day.

The program — which currently operates out of Teske’s Equestrian Centre on McCreary Road while regular partner West Wind Stables build a new stable in Oak Bluff — is now galloping up some momentum.

"We have expanded our reach to four new schools and we have increased our enrolment from 16 to 24 students who ride twice a year for different sessions which run fall, spring and winter," said program director Brenda Godin.

Godin, who lives in Headingley, said the program is now offered at numerous PTSD schools including Acadia Junior High, Arthur A. Leach School, General Byng School and Linden Meadows School.

One student with her boots in the stirrups says the initiative has been a rewarding one.

"This experience has been amazing. I’ve been able to get close up to some really awesome horses," said Meredith Finch, 12, while riding a horse named Deimos. "It also gives me an excuse to wear sweatpants to school."

The Ecole Charleswood School student added that her experience has provided a valuable equine education.

"I’ve learned how to sit on a horse, how to jog and ride a horse and also how to groom them. I’ve also learned how to be patient with animals and where exactly to scratch their shoulder blades, which Deimos really likes," Finch said.

"Everybody loves animals and to get a chance to connect with them is great. It’s important to have respect for all creatures."

And now the organization is looking for a little voting support from communities across the city.

Organizers have entered a national contest — the Aviva Community Fund Competition — in which individuals can vote for self-proposed, community-oriented ideas. Projects that receive enough votes and that are approved by judges in the final round will harness the funding to implement them.

HC’s project is called The Quadrille Team. The idea is to develop a team consisting of four chosen youth, who will train twice a week to choreograph a musical ride for presentation. The fall 2011 demonstration will form part of an appreciation day for locally invited seniors.

The Quadrille Team’s main function will be to help build a sense of belonging and community to the students, as well as create public awareness and business sponsorships, Godin said.

As part of their awareness campaign, HC members will run a booth at the Scattered Seeds 15th Annual 2010 Christmas Craft Show & Sale, which will be held at the Red River Exhibition Hall, located next to at Assiniboia Downs, between Oct. 22 and 24.

For more details about the competition, and to register your vote, visit www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf5468.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com