Blackfeet Nation’s Sukapi Lodge Opens as First Tribally Run Mental Health Center in U.S.

On the Blackfeet Reservation, social worker Erika MadPlume uses horses to teach children skills like patience, boundaries, and emotional control.

One of her clients, diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is what she calls a “really wired kid.” He’s constantly moving and always testing limits, challenges that often spill over into life at home and at school.

Horses, MadPlume says, will quickly mirror that energy. Their muscles tighten, eyes widen, and nostrils flare. Sometimes they even bolt at sudden movements.

“He’s usually this big ball of energy, and the horse will give him immediate feedback on that,” she said. “They have a calming effect that teaches him to be aware of how he’s acting and how his actions influence their behavior — lessons that translate to human