Through the relationships and bonds the young men build with the horses, we believe they will experience personal empowerment, therapeutic activities, riding, spiritual growth, and life changing insights as well as a good work ethic, while learning how to care for an animal.
Horses are large and somewhat intimidating to many people. This creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working alongside a horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life. Often during a session, the horse or experience can initiate an enlightened moment that impacts the teen and their family’s way of thinking or behaving. At the end, they will take away key experiences and learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. Our program is not about teaching people to ride horses, nor is it about horsemanship. It is not required nor necessary for those who come to us for help to have any experience with horses.
Through equine training (an optional, added-cost experience for the boys), we teach the boys to care for something else in their life, and that has a profound impact on their own actions and motivations.
PROFESSIONAL EQUINE TRAINING PLAN (OPTIONAL)
Boys will learn to demonstrate proper horsemanship by reading the horse’s body language which will prove they have successfully built a relationship with their horse and are understanding how to communicate properly and safely with it. At the end of four months, boys will be sufficiently independent in caring for and handling their horse both on the ground and in the saddle.
In order boys to reach the above goal in four months, the training program will have three basic steps.
Step 1 – Care, Grooming and Basic Knowledge
Step 2 – Ground Handling and Further Understanding
Step 3 – Riding and Advanced Understanding
Upon completion of the four-month training program, students will be able ride the horses on a regular basis with a trainer.