Hoof Beats of America is a program that brings at-risk youths and horses together at a working ranch in Petaluma, California. The pilot for this program ran this past August with three adventurous teens from the Petaluma area. It worked so well the teens did not want it to end. Founder, Hilary Dorris, was so impressed with the participants’ enthusiasm that she decided to continue working with this original group of “pioneers,” as she lovingly calls them, by starting a junior staff development program. During the next session which begins on January 18, 2008, the pioneers will work as assistant staff members, helping their peers learn the ropes.
The mission of Hoof Beats of America is to enable the children to change negative and unproductive behaviors and attitudes, build confidence and begin the process of self-discovery. That is done by placing them in an unfamiliar environment where none of the usual rules apply; where their typical behaviors produce no positive results and might well produce negative ones. A working ranch and horses provide that new environment. This is where the learning and the road to self-discovery begin.
Self Discovery
One of the most wonderful gifts that horses have to offer is their ability to act as mirrors for human beings.
To spend meaningful time with a horse a person must remain totally present. Horses have their own language. In order for us to communicate with them we must be quiet, honest and respectful. They will respond in physical ways which the children will learn to recognize as acceptance and partnership.
The children will learn through the horses' behavior that aggression, passivity, indifference and inconsistency will not get them the results they are looking for. Honest, thoughtful communication will.
EAL-Equine Assisted Learning
EAL uses horses to bring about positive changes in an individual's life.
Some of the areas in which change can be seen:
*Bullying & anger management
*Increased self-esteem
*Honesty
*Communication
*Selfishness
*Respect
The horses, along with caring staff, will lead the participants through this life changing program.
Examples of skills that the students will attain during the program:
*Communication skills
*The ability to read a horses body language
*Horse care: Stall cleaning, providing clean water, feeding and grooming.
*Horse handling: Catching in field, approaching in stall, haltering, leading and lunging.
*Basic riding skills: Tacking up, riding at the walk trot and canter.
*Round pen work: How to use body language to communicate with the horses. How to establish boundaries and expectations.
*Barn and riding equipment care and maintenance: Cleaning tack and tack room, sweeping barn aisles, repairing fence, painting and mowing…
