Imagine what the future would look like if we prepared our youth with skills for life?
Our interactive youth programs are specifically designed to ensure the learning and retention of necessary life skills to aid in each youth's personal growth. It is an excellent approach with the horses being the teacher. The horse has "loud teachable moments" that youth will never forget. This gives youth an experience to pull from when they are faced with choices in everyday life.
We have after-school programs available for youth as well as special pricing for groups and organizations. Scroll down to find out more!
We have after-school programs available for youth as well as special pricing for groups and organizations. Scroll down to find out more!
Teachers that Deliver Results
|
Horses are ideal teachers for use with children. Once a child is taught the basics of working properly with a horse, he or she can become the leader the horse seeks. When the horse feels safe, cooperation is a hundred-fold and the child can easily get the horse to do what is asked of it. Getting a 1200 lb prey animal through a set of obstacles is an experience a child will never forgot. These experiences are paralleled back to the child's everyday life and challenges they might experience in the "real world". The child is able to recall the challenges they faced with their horse teachers and how they had to modify their behaviour to overcome an obstacle together. They can pull from this knowledge and success to tackle life's challenges in the future.
|
|
Why does it work?
|
Participation, retention, fun and oh yea... a horse!
What can a 1200 pound teacher do for our kids? 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. 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 are able to learn how to modify their behaviour through sets of exercises, each with a specific objective, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. This type of teaching cannot be delivered in a classroom. It is the experience of being in close contact with horses that has the most effect on young people. Objectives of weekly programs include confidence building, team work, developing boundaries, learning to trust, improving communication and listening skills and empathy. Give your children the skills necessary to take on the challenges that life throws at them. One of the many bonuses of working with horses vs a classroom setting is the component of interactivity. Despite the fact that we all learn differently, we can all take away lessons that we learn through our experiences. As the only Nationally Recognized Equine Assisted Learning Program in Canada, each of our exercises is custom designed to maximize learning potential and focus on developing individual skills as they work through each fun, interactive group challenge. Teams/individuals will:
Equine Assisted Learning acts as an important educational tool to help to develop empathy and kindness as well as combat:
|
|
Spring Horse Connection Workshop for Youth
We have an affordable 4-session workshop for youth starting the week of May 29th 2023. Private and Group Lesson Options. Visit the Eventbrite page for more info and registration!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/spring-horse-connection-workshop-for-youth-tickets-635152156197
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/spring-horse-connection-workshop-for-youth-tickets-635152156197
FAQ's for Teachers and Organizations!
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
Transportation is the responsibility of the school/organization. We have a map and directions on our contact us page. Most participants are brought out in two vehicles by chaperones or teachers. This is the most cost effective method of transportation. We are only 4 km south of the south Perimeter Highway (PTH 100)
EQUIPMENT?
We provide all of the equipment for the program, including helmets. You are just in charge of wearing clothes that you don't mind getting a little dirty and closed-toed shoes.
PERMISSION FORMS?
We will send you the permission forms for the participants.
CHAPERONE?
We do ask that 1-2 teachers or staff members accompany the group during the program.
ARE WE RIDING?
We only work with horses on the ground in their natural state for these programs. 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 GROUP SIZES DO YOU WORK WITH?
As small as 3 and to a maximum of 8. Have more people than that? Give us a shout and we can find a solution.
DO I NEED EXPERIENCE WITH HORSES?
Nope. As our program does not require you to ride a horse, no prior experience is necessary. We will inform every group of the rules and safety precautions to take around the animals and the arena. We always put safety first, but we can accommodate everyone's different comfort levels around the horses.
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, do we?
WHAT IF IT IS RAINY, SNOWING OR COLD OUT? WILL WE FREEZE?
Too hot or too cold, we have the covered arena to keep us comfortable. Your program will take place regardless of the weather.
DO I NEED CERTAIN CLOTHING?
Simple things like closed toe shoes and dressing in clothes that you are ok with getting a little dusty. We will give you a full list of these safety measures, of course.
WHY HORSES
Cats, Dogs, horses... what's the difference?
There is nothing like a 1,100 lb Teacher…
By their intuitive nature and innate sensitivity, horses can provide facilitators with a window into the participant's personality. As a prey animal, they are sensitive to the stimulus of each participant. They react to the stimulus through body language and participants must adjust their feelings and behaviours to work successfully with the horses.
What can a horse teach you that a human can't?
What makes us remember? One of the many bonuses of working with horses vs a classroom setting is the component of interactivity because we all learn differently, but we can all take away lessons that we learn through our experiences.
The power of the horse is the relationships that we make with them. Through the Equine Connection, we engage the body, mind, and spirit of both species.
Transportation is the responsibility of the school/organization. We have a map and directions on our contact us page. Most participants are brought out in two vehicles by chaperones or teachers. This is the most cost effective method of transportation. We are only 4 km south of the south Perimeter Highway (PTH 100)
EQUIPMENT?
We provide all of the equipment for the program, including helmets. You are just in charge of wearing clothes that you don't mind getting a little dirty and closed-toed shoes.
PERMISSION FORMS?
We will send you the permission forms for the participants.
CHAPERONE?
We do ask that 1-2 teachers or staff members accompany the group during the program.
ARE WE RIDING?
We only work with horses on the ground in their natural state for these programs. 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 GROUP SIZES DO YOU WORK WITH?
As small as 3 and to a maximum of 8. Have more people than that? Give us a shout and we can find a solution.
DO I NEED EXPERIENCE WITH HORSES?
Nope. As our program does not require you to ride a horse, no prior experience is necessary. We will inform every group of the rules and safety precautions to take around the animals and the arena. We always put safety first, but we can accommodate everyone's different comfort levels around the horses.
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, do we?
WHAT IF IT IS RAINY, SNOWING OR COLD OUT? WILL WE FREEZE?
Too hot or too cold, we have the covered arena to keep us comfortable. Your program will take place regardless of the weather.
DO I NEED CERTAIN CLOTHING?
Simple things like closed toe shoes and dressing in clothes that you are ok with getting a little dusty. We will give you a full list of these safety measures, of course.
WHY HORSES
Cats, Dogs, horses... what's the difference?
There is nothing like a 1,100 lb Teacher…
By their intuitive nature and innate sensitivity, horses can provide facilitators with a window into the participant's personality. As a prey animal, they are sensitive to the stimulus of each participant. They react to the stimulus through body language and participants must adjust their feelings and behaviours to work successfully with the horses.
What can a horse teach you that a human can't?
- Horses consistently model assertiveness and teach us how.
- Horses can't lie or over think a participants motive.
- Horses feedback is honest and instant
- Nature provides them with instincts and senses that are very astute.
- Help to instill empathy and kindness in the participants.
- Horses have natural "herd behaviours" that require trust, respect, and teamwork from all members of the team.
- Horses automatically respond to confusion and frustration as these feelings can put the herd at risk.
- They lead through assuredness - not brute force.
- Horses have distinct personalities and through this, they all have different methods of teaching.
What makes us remember? One of the many bonuses of working with horses vs a classroom setting is the component of interactivity because we all learn differently, but we can all take away lessons that we learn through our experiences.
The power of the horse is the relationships that we make with them. Through the Equine Connection, we engage the body, mind, and spirit of both species.
Click below to register for a workshop today! Be sure to click 'equine assisted learning' workshops'!