1. Experiential Learning
Our course teaches youth to read and understand horse feedback by learning to read the messages in a horse’s individual features including ears, eyes, head and muscles. This method of experiential learning allows youth to get feedback directly from the horse about the changes that occur in their behaviour and the consequences of those changes. Youth are able to experiment with the consequences of their emotions and communication styles, giving them skills to utilise in everyday life.
Each session has been designed to help participants focus on and improve a particular Life Skill.
These Life Skills Include:
- Building Relationships
- Problem Solving
- Listening and Articulation
- Choices
- Teamwork
- Understanding Body Language
- Focus
- Leadership
The programs ability to deliver each objective has been researched and proven in a five year University study. The study showed that the combined elements of the program structure, facilitation support and interactions with the horses proves an extremely effective way to teach youth particular life skills.
2. Fun
SCIENCE HAS PROVEN - The more you enjoy completing an activity, the more often you will think about it and the longer you will remember it!
It is also common knowledge that the more you enjoy doing a task, the more likely you are to give your best effort.
One of the best reasons for learning from horses is the fun they bring! Weather it's laughing at out horses individual personalities (Commett and Perl for example love to smile, knock down obstacles and carry flowers across the arena - usually when they think people aren't watching!) or realising how hard it can be to put on a halter using only one hand. Learning to laugh with others and laugh at yourself is a very important skill for young people have - so we do our best to create plenty of LOL (laugh out loud) moments throughout the program.
3. Ongoing Leadership Practise
Your learning and fun doesn't just end after your nine week program, instead after graduation you are presented with a completely new role and a different set of tasks to challenge and improve your horsemanship and leadership skills.
After graduating from the program you become an Our Herd Leader (and are given an official Leader's T-shirt to celebrate!). With this position, you are invited to join an ever growing community of young people who are all invited to attend each of our Leader's Days (free of charge of course!). At each of these Leader's Days you will work together with fellow leaders to look after and play with your horses. You will also have the opportunity to practise your leadership skills by teaching beginner horse handlers how to stay safe and have fun with horses. The best part about Leader's Days are they are a HEAP OF FUN and are something you can look forward to in each school holidays!
Upcoming Program - Term 3 2018
* Bookings will open on the 1st of July *
Enter your details in the form below and we will be in touch to reserve a spot for your child.
