Equine Pathfinders - Horse Inspired Learning Programmes For All

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PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE Take the Reins Learning objectives Understand and maintain good personal boundaries, through increased resilience and re-established self- esteem. Participants will gain personal empowerment through creating the experience of safe space as well as respectful and meaningful relationship with horses. Group participation adds the opportunity to practice and experience mutual support and recognition. Who should attend? Ideal for those referred by or participating in domestic violence counselling, and those who have witnessed or directly suffered abuse, or anyone wanting to transform their life through empowerment experiences. Costs: Individual session at $250/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Happy Horses - Happy Kids Learning Objectives Build personal confidence and social competence while learning and applying key knowledge of natural horsemanship. Participants will acquire experience in natural horsemanship skills to safely and effectively partner with horses, first on-the-ground, then in the saddle. Know-how includes learning basic and important knots and ties; riding and non-riding arena activities; lake-swimming with horses; and a guided beach ride. Social skills are acquired through these and specific experiential Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) activities and other whole-group experiences. Who should attend? Children and youth ages 6-17. Costs: $600 / 5 days including ponies, accommodation and food. Horsepower Learning Objectives Create and define a positive sense of self, practice positive behaviours, and contribute to a larger group. Participants will learn to feel connected to others through practicing caring and appropriate behaviours, building self-respect while respecting others. Along with horses and facilitators participants will create natural horsemanship activities and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) where work in the round pen and arena are emphasised. Who should attend? Youth at-risk groups and referrals. Works as prevention, intervention, or diversion. Costs: Individual session at $250/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Running with the Herd Learning Objectives Improve self-control, appropriate self-expression, social interaction, and decision-making. Participants learn to practice mindfulness, build self-awareness regarding choices, and contribute to healthy alternatives for themselves, their group, and society. Emphasizes interactions with individual horses, smaller bands of horses, and the entire herd. Focuses on finding a personal place of self-worth in the herd that relates to life outside the arena. Who should attend? Young offender programs and referrals, or any prevention, intervention, or diversion program. Costs: Individual session at $250/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Functional Families - The Way Home Learning Objectives Establishes and strengthens parenting skills and respect for the roles of each member of the family, included blended families. Brings value and recognition to each member of the family. Highlights the role parents and other carers, children, and additional family members play in creating beneficial dynamics for the system. Horses know The Way Home. They will teach participants their role in the family, its importance, and how to respect, trust, and work together to build stronger bonds as the family finds its way home. Who should attend? Any family in transition, new or dysfunctional blended families. Parents, single parents, carers, and family groups, including those referred by courts and organizations. Costs: Individual sessions at $250/hr. Partner sessions at $325/hr. Family sessions at $400/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6 (e.g. parenting partners/single parents group focusing on parenting skills). A Stallion’s Gift Learning Objectives To find new and appropriate attitudes and choices, managing emotions and behaviors in relation to self-expression, especially anger management. Participants will learn and experience the gift of strength through gentleness, relationship through respect, and creating positive change with harmony from the wisdom of this herd of horses. Attention is given to members working with combinations of male and female horses of all age groups individually and in groups. This program changes men on the inside so that they can change on the outside. It is also designed to work in retreat format focusing on personal growth and the building of a mutual support network. Who should attend? Men, especially those in or moving into relationship. Recommended for men learning to deal with anger issues and problematic behaviour in current or past relationships. Designed to run as a referred offending partners group. Costs: Individual sessions at $250/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Retreat costings To be discussed. Horse Whispers Woman’s Retreat Learning Objectives Experience respite and practices of respite that nurture and restore self, reduce stress, and improve coping skills Participants will experience and learn how to integrate nature, horses, art, movement, and meditation into their daily lives. Time is spent with the horses, in the group circle, and in individual self-reflection. Horses do whisper. Participants will learn to listen, wait, and then whisper back to them. This is a woman’s retreat, waking and reawakening with the horses, walking with their wisdom for renewal and recovery. Who should attend? Women of any age, family carers, and professional helpers such as social workers, therapists, medical professionals, or first responders. Highly adaptable for individual survivors and survivor groups. Costs: Individual sessions at $250/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Retreat costings To be discussed. Stable Relationships Learning Objectives Build attitudes and behaviours that promote mutual respect, healthy boundaries, and well-being in relationship Participants will engage in activities with horses and each other that teach how relationship is key for horses and a priority in their culture. Horses live as healthy individuals with mutual respect, fair expectations of each other, and loyalty to the herd. Activities are tailored to guide participants in what they learn with the horses to practicing with each other. This is a mix of horse sense and horse play. Who should attend? This is a prevention program to support couples, preserve family unity, and assist in family reunification. Open to all participants including referrals from child and family support organisations. Costs: Individual sessions at $250/hr. Partner sessions at $325/hr. Family sessions at $400/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Retreat costings To be discussed. A New Freedom - Greener Pastures Learning Objectives Experience and internalise aspects of sober wellness, the reasons to maintain it, and the ways to practice it. Participants will experience aspects of “The Promises” through interactions in nature and with the horses. There is nothing quite like seeing a herd of horses galloping across a green, newly opened paddock. As much as being with running horses is an adventure, so sobriety is an adventure as well. This program is highly adaptable to a Twelve Step framework and is offered by experienced staff. Who should attend? Recovering alcoholics and other addicts. Prevention, intervention, and aftercare referrals, and self-referrals. Adaptable for recovery families with newly sober family members. Costs: Individual sessions at $250/hr. Partner sessions at $325/hr. Family sessions at $400/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Retreat costings To be discussed. Horse Dreams and Herd Wisdom Learning Objectives Building cultural awareness, experiencing and respecting diversity, and strengthening team culture. Participants will experience foundational aspects of cultural competence vital for successful and culturally sensitive interactions with clients and relations among staff members. The horse herd is a culture with its own roles, ways, and history. Its culture gives it a place in the world and helps it thrive. Herd observation and activities with the horses give participants a working understanding as well as an alive and enjoyable practice setting to take outside the arena. Who should attend? Organisations, leaders, and teams. Highly adaptable to youth and adult groups interested in building cultural awareness and self-respect as a cultural value. Costs: Individual sessions at $250/hr. Group sessions at $75/hr per participant with a minimum of 6. Retreat costings To be discussed. Connectivity of Programs Some individuals, groups, and families may benefit from connecting programs. For example, a participant in Horsepower or The Stallion’s Gift Programs may then be more effective as a participant in Functional Families-The Way Home. A graduate of A New Freedom, the sobriety program, may be more willing and able to participate in Stable Relationships or The Way Home as well. So programs may be paired to enhance and maintain their positive impact for certain individuals and families. Custom Programs All of the above programs can be adapted to meet the needs of specific populations or individual participants. Further, there are equine assisted learning (EAL) curricula known to our staff that are already available and in use internationally.