Youth

Our programs provide a powerful journey of teaching, learning and understanding.

Our interactive youth programs are backed by research and specifically designed to ensure the learning and retention of necessary life skills to aid in each participant’s personal growth. The horses do the teaching, while our facilitators are there to offer explanation and provide guidance as they work through the solution.

All of our programs are from the ground - there is no riding and no horse experience is necessary.

Objective based experiential programs:

• responsibility & accountability

• decision making skills

• force doesn’t equal movement

• negotiation, problem solving & communication

• teamwork

• socialisation

• self-esteem & self confidence

• matching internal dialogue to actions

• trust, respect & personal integrity

• emotional regulation

• embracing and finding change

Helping Kids Develop Skills for Life

Skill development programs working with horses. Prepare your children to take on the challenges that life throws at them.

Let's help our kids to build an armour of skills so they know how to protect themselves and move forward with all that life has for them and have self-awareness about their own behaviour through the powerful teacher, the horse.

Wellbeing

The horse has unique characteristics which can contribute to a distinct human-animal interaction and is one of the many contributing benefits to wellbeing. The horse is a teacher and motivator and provides strength and calmness.

The benefits of well-being are identified through:

• Physical status - improved physical health (taking part in physical activities because of Equine Assisted Learning participation, the youth feel better about themselves physically)
  “It made me feel better about myself, I can do stuff without people judging me.”  “It made me feel more active.”

• The importance of physical touch with the horse - experiencing healthy or safe touch (while grooming, i.e., brushing their body, braiding the mane, patting the horse, hugging the horse, standing close allowing for body contact).
  “I thought that if I could do this, I could do anything.”

• Mental wellbeing can include mood/feelings, cognition, perception, thoughts, self, intellect, emotion, judgement and identity through perceptions of self.

• Social wellbeing focuses on interpersonal relationships of the individual’s relationships or associations with friends, family, community and the universe. All programs are focused on becoming a better communicator through the understanding of space, body language, and dialogue.

• Positive change in behaviour (increased awareness of self, others and own learning) like a horse has boundaries and they are clear as to where they want a person to be. The distance and their reaction when you cross those boundaries. That is what we look for in people too.

All these experiential programs for youth are not only educational but have been designed for youth to acquire strength-based life skills (ie developmental assets) such as effective communication, enhanced problem-solving, a better understanding of body language, respecting personal boundaries, among others.

This gives young people an experience to pull from when they are faced with choices in everyday life as they build strong solid skills working with their teacher. Our youth curriculum programs consist of blocks of 4, 8 and 12 sessions which allows the effectiveness of the course to build along with the skills the kids are learning.

We can tailor the program to fit the school term or create specialised workshops or a full 12 week curriculum for organisations or agencies.

Equine Assisted Learning acts as an important educational tool to help to develop empathy and kindness as well as combat;

• Behavioural disorders

• Low self-esteem

• Bullying

• Drug abuse

• Emotional issues

• Poor communication skills

• Inability to work with others

Armour Program

Helping kids build a strong armour of skills to protect and prepare as they transition into high school.

• For kids in years 6 , 7 & 8 moving into high school.

• 8 week program - Next starting date: Wednesday 5 February 2020. 4.30pm.

• Cost: $70 per session (1 session per week for 8 weeks)

• Location: Whiterock Peak, Kholo

*Group sizes are small to allow for individual attention. Numbers are limited.

I'D LIKE MORE INFO

Maverick Program

Helping kids who stand out or are at risk to get back on track. Unique behavioural and socialisation skills.

• 8 week program - Next starting date: Wednesday 5 February 2020. 9am.

*By referral from schools or agencies only - benevolent program provided in association with the charity Reason to Thrive.

Equip Program

Helping kids learn how important it is to be the leader of their own life. Preparation for life after high school.

• For kids in years 11 and 12, preparing for life as an adult - in the workforce or further study.

• 8 week program - Next starting date: TBA

• Cost: $70 per session

School Team Building & Leadership Workshops

Customised half or full day workshops for School Leadership Programs or School Sporting Teams. Contact us to design a workshop specifically for your objectives.

Teachers that deliver results!

Horses are wonderful teachers for young people. There is a sense of wonder and respect when they work alongside a 500kg teacher.

The horses require us as humans, to be authentic and have intention. Horses provide a window into our emotions and behaviour, all while remaining non-judgemental and honest. Horses do require us to become aware of our self leadership because the horse will only respond with trust, respect and a willingness to follow, if our heads and hearts are congruent. 

Once a person steps up to become the leader the horse seeks, the horse will feel safe, and cooperation and teamwork will follow. The lessons and objectives can be paralleled back to real-life situations allowing the the lessons learned and realisations to be retained where they can be drawn on well into their future.

Why does it work and what can a 500 kg teacher do for our kids?

Participation, retention, fun and oh yeah... a horse!

The value of working with horses as a teaching tool to learn new skills have been proven time and time again in the teaching of young people and especially teenagers.

It is the experience of being in close contact with horses that has the most effect on young people, and the unique form of delivery of these lessons is strengthened by the facilitator assisting the kids to constantly parallel the lessons from the horse back to their every day real life.

What if we could have a window into our own behaviours?

Horses understand how to differentiate between potentially threatening behaviour and a calm and assertive nature. Children and young people who have the chance to work with our youth development programs are able to learn how to modify their behaviour through sets of exercises that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. This type of teaching cannot be delivered in a classroom.

Give your kids the skills necessary to ultimately better prepare them to take on the challenges that life throws at them.

One of the many bonuses of working with horses versus a classroom setting is the component of interactivity. We all learn differently, but we can all take away lessons that we learn through our experiences. Our program is backed by research and delivers results.

 Students will:

• develop relationships

• accept responsibility and accountability

• overcome barriers to find change

• be encouraged to be creative and innovative

• find opportunity in working together

• realise the benefits associated with effective communication

• recognise the value of mutual trust, respect, and personal integrity...

  All while having a blast!

How long do sessions last?

Each program session runs for 90 minutes, which includes time on the arena with the horses plus some time in discussion and reflection about what was learned.

Do I need horse experience?

Not at all. We do not ride our teachers, so no experience is necessary. We will discuss and demonstrate safety and how to work with horses as part of the program.

Will we be riding the horses?

We only work with horses on the ground in their natural state. All of our work is out of the saddle. You will work alongside the horses as part of your team rather than as a tool. This way the horse can be its true self and not be "on the job". This allows for the best and true reaction of the horse and the most beneficial way of learning for you.

What if I’m scared or don’t like horses?

If you aren't being pushed out of your boundaries, you aren't learning. This is an opportunity to overcome your fears or get over preconceived notions. We don't always get to pick our team members at work or school, do we?

What if it is raining or too hot?

If an unexpected weather event is forecast, we will be in contact to re-schedule your program. As part of the benefits of the program are to be outside, we try to work with the weather conditions as much as is possible in Queensland!

Do I need special equipment or clothing?

You will not need any special equipment or clothing. We do ask that you wear closed toe shoes (eg sneakers) to protect your feet. As we will be outside, a hat, sunscreen and water bottle are highly recommended!