Giddy Up? Priority Health helps urban kids saddle up for success. Soon to have new equine arena in Detroit

(DETROIT, Mich. –July 3, 2024) Horseback riding ranks as a sport underserved urban kids rarely get a chance to experience due to the high cost and lack of accessibility in the city. With the help of the Priority Health Total Health Foundation, Detroit Horse Power has broken that barrier by putting Detroit kids in the saddle, not only to learn horsemanship but life lessons that include perseverance, empathy, responsibility and confidence.

Detroit Horse Power’s free summer equestrian camp hosts school age kids from Detroit Public Schools at a horse farm in Davisburg, Michigan to learn about equine care, riding, and character building.

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“When you build relationships with horses you have to be authentic. Our curriculum highlights these character traits: perseverance, empathy, responsible risk taking, confidence and self-control, and we have seen growth in our youth in how they learn to give back, and how they are going to show up in the world and contribute,” said Ciara Ginyard, program director for Detroit Horse Power.

Detroit Horse Power will build a new 26,000 square foot equine center on a 14-acre plot of land at Fenkell and Linwood in Detroit with groundbreaking set for this fall.

“We are thrilled to partner with Detroit Horse Power to provide Detroit youth exposure to horses and the sport of horseback riding,” said Shannon Wilson, executive director of the Priority Health Total Health Foundation. “This program is especially beneficial as it provides youth with coping mechanisms, stress reduction techniques, and strategies to address mental wellbeing. Partners like Detroit Horse Power are essential as we seek to address social determinates of health and improve the overall health outcomes of our communities.”

Throughout the school year, Detroit Horse Power also offers academic and mentorship-based after school programs as well as monthly field trips and horseback riding opportunities.

About Priority Health:

With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan, offering an extensive portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than 1.3 million members each year and offering a broad network of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Learn more about affordable, quality health coverage options from Priority Health.