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Horses calm troublesome teenagers Horses calm troublesome teenagers
(about 2 hours later)
Problem teenagers at a school in Fife have been taught horse riding in an attempt to calm them in class.Problem teenagers at a school in Fife have been taught horse riding in an attempt to calm them in class.
About a dozen teens from Glenrothes High School have been taking part in a 10 week course at a local stables. About a dozen teens from Glenrothes High School have been taking part in a 10-week course at a local stables.
Experts have said working with the animals has forced the pupils to modify their behaviour to build up a bond of trust with the horses. Experts have said working with the animals has helped the pupils to modify their behaviour and to build up a bond of trust with the horses.
The project has been supported by Fife Constabulary. Officers said they had seen a change in the youngsters. The project has been supported by Fife Constabulary and officers said they had seen a change in the youngsters.
PC John Robertson told the BBC Scotland news website: "I know these kids and I think it's excellent.PC John Robertson told the BBC Scotland news website: "I know these kids and I think it's excellent.
"I've seen a whole new side to them. They're listening to what's happening, they're taking an interest and they're learning responsibilities.""I've seen a whole new side to them. They're listening to what's happening, they're taking an interest and they're learning responsibilities."
The youngsters who have participated said they could see themselves that their behaviour has changed.
Fourteen-year-old Alan Penman said: "I can control it a bit more because before I just used to answer back straight away to the teachers but now I think about it."
The idea to use animals came from the school's behaviour support teacher Carol Wilson.The idea to use animals came from the school's behaviour support teacher Carol Wilson.
The behaviour of teenagers taking part has already improved.The behaviour of teenagers taking part has already improved.
She said: "It does modify your behaviour when you're working with a big noble beast like a horse.She said: "It does modify your behaviour when you're working with a big noble beast like a horse.
"If you want a positive outcome, you have to find something else in yourself. Not aggression but to be calm and assertive.""If you want a positive outcome, you have to find something else in yourself. Not aggression but to be calm and assertive."
The youngsters have been taken once a week by bus to the riding stables near Leuchars in Fife.The youngsters have been taken once a week by bus to the riding stables near Leuchars in Fife.
Before each lesson begins, they have had to work as a team to clean out the horses' stables.Before each lesson begins, they have had to work as a team to clean out the horses' stables.
The pilot projects lasts 10 weeks but the school is hoping some of the pupils will continue the lessons in their own time. The pilot project lasts 10 weeks but the school is hoping some of the pupils will continue the lessons in their own time.