Árpi's story
Árpi was only in fourth grade when he was placed in a children’s home. He was a small boy with huge blue eyes and a sweet little face. Everyone else there was much older than him, as younger children were usually placed with foster parents and did not end up in the home among the older ones.
Árpi was an exception, because his mischief made it unimaginable for anyone to take him in. At the local primary school he often got into trouble, and soon he had to be withdrawn from there. He continued his studies as a private student.
Árpi was like a hedgehog—you couldn’t get close to him. When you reached out your hand toward him, he immediately raised his own to his head, as if defending himself from some invisible attacker. You couldn’t hug him either; he was terrified of touch and trusted no one.
While he was at home, his father severely abused Árpi. Once he beat him so badly that it became a police case, and the man was sent to prison for years. The little boy was taken away from his family and that was how he ended up in the children’s home. Because of these circumstances, Árpi withdrew into himself, and even the caregivers were unable to find a way to reach him.
Horses had already been present at the home for years. Their presence calmed many of the children, and several of them rode as well. For those who fell in love with this activity, it could help a great deal, because everything was always clear and straightforward at the stable. This environment teaches discipline and respect. A horse will only obey you if you ask with gentle signals and kindness. It is a powerful animal, yet if you earn its trust, cooperation becomes easy.
For a while, Árpi kept his distance from the stables, but one day he finally asked to be allowed in. From then on, he was one of the boys who was always there whenever the horses needed to be fed or the stalls cleaned.
Árpi had a favorite horse, and he did not allow anyone else near it. Only he was allowed to brush its mane and clean its hooves. For the first time since arriving at the home, he allowed someone to get close to him.
Years passed like this, until one day, as he was running toward the stable during the morning feeding, he ran up to the caregiver he worked with and gave them a quick hug. It was a special moment. Árpi had finally learned to trust others again.
Today, this boy has a wife and a child. We know that it was a horse and quiet, gentle care that opened his heart once more.
Árpi was an exception, because his mischief made it unimaginable for anyone to take him in. At the local primary school he often got into trouble, and soon he had to be withdrawn from there. He continued his studies as a private student.
Árpi was like a hedgehog—you couldn’t get close to him. When you reached out your hand toward him, he immediately raised his own to his head, as if defending himself from some invisible attacker. You couldn’t hug him either; he was terrified of touch and trusted no one.
While he was at home, his father severely abused Árpi. Once he beat him so badly that it became a police case, and the man was sent to prison for years. The little boy was taken away from his family and that was how he ended up in the children’s home. Because of these circumstances, Árpi withdrew into himself, and even the caregivers were unable to find a way to reach him.
Horses had already been present at the home for years. Their presence calmed many of the children, and several of them rode as well. For those who fell in love with this activity, it could help a great deal, because everything was always clear and straightforward at the stable. This environment teaches discipline and respect. A horse will only obey you if you ask with gentle signals and kindness. It is a powerful animal, yet if you earn its trust, cooperation becomes easy.
For a while, Árpi kept his distance from the stables, but one day he finally asked to be allowed in. From then on, he was one of the boys who was always there whenever the horses needed to be fed or the stalls cleaned.
Árpi had a favorite horse, and he did not allow anyone else near it. Only he was allowed to brush its mane and clean its hooves. For the first time since arriving at the home, he allowed someone to get close to him.
Years passed like this, until one day, as he was running toward the stable during the morning feeding, he ran up to the caregiver he worked with and gave them a quick hug. It was a special moment. Árpi had finally learned to trust others again.
Today, this boy has a wife and a child. We know that it was a horse and quiet, gentle care that opened his heart once more.
Árpi’s story was shared with us by the Tűzcsiholó Egyesület. If you are interested in what they do, read more here: