The project has two different aspects: On the one hand, it is an unconventional space
complementary to other programs, attended by families in situations of social risk or experiencing
situations of temporary vulnerability. They are often referred by Social Services. The objective of
these interventions is to improve, strengthen or acquire parental skills that guarantee the protection
and care of the minors in charge and a healthy bond between family members.
On the other hand, it is a project aimed at children and young people residing in the Children’s
Village. The horses live in the center and the interactions are not strictly therapeutic, with many
informal situations of learning, care and play.
However, the “unconventional” therapeutic and or psychoeducational character does not exempt
the project from having defined theoretical and methodological foundations.
In the field of family therapy, we are under the great systemic “umbrella”, although with its own
nuances when working with vulnerable groups: models of parental competences, collaborative help
(Madsen, 2009), an adaptation of the emotion construct expressed (Brown et al., 1972; Butzlaff
and Hooley, 1998) applied to intervention with adolescents and the framework of power, threat and
meaning are some of the pillars that support our work.
On the other hand, in psychoeducational interactions, we rely on the educational and therapeutic
potential of nature. And all of this, assisted by horses…