Overview:
Horses are highly social animals that rely on clear communication and strong relationships within their herd to ensure their safety, well-being, and happiness. Let’s explore what we can learn from the herd during a morning of play and connected relationships with horses and humans! This is an unmounted workshop, and no prior experience with horses is necessary. This class is designed for 8 kids ages 8 to 13 years old. Come prepared to spend time outside from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. Hendo Care Farm is located in the township of Fruitland (next to Edneyville). Exact address will be emailed after registration.
Why Horses as Teachers?
Goal Setting: Horses are excellent at reading our energy and intention, and they won’t know what we want from them until we are clear with ourselves about our own goals. We will work together to set clear, achievable group and individual goals.
Teamwork: Horses are herd animals, and they understand the importance of working together in community. Participate in team-based activities that will enhance your child’s ability to collaborate effectively with others.
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication: Horses communicate through body language and give immediate, honest feedback. Learn to understand their signals and improve your own communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal.
Basic Horsemanship: Gain a deeper understanding of horses, their behavior, and how to care for them. This knowledge will help foster respect and compassion for all living creatures.
Agenda:
- Getting to know the Place: Arrival, safety, & ground rules
- Getting to know each other: icebreaker
- Getting to know the Herd: observation & debrief
- Getting to Know us as a group of horses and humans existing together. Group dynamics game with horses
- Wrap up: debrief, farm chores, horse grooming, unstructured time or group games
About Your Facilitator:
Heather Taddonio loves guiding groups of children and teens in play and self-discovery with horses. She is a licensed middle school teacher, lifelong horse lover, and a Natural Lifemanship levels 1 & 2 trained equine-assisted learning facilitator.
Investment $55 – Go to hendocarefarm.com to sign up!
Due to the intimate group size of 8 kids, pre-registration and pre-payment is required to secure your child’s spot. Go to hendocarefarm.com to sign up your child. Refunds are not available unless there is unsafe weather-related issues. If the weather is not safe to be outside on April 6th, then this workshop will be rescheduled to the rain date of April 13th for the same timeframe.
Scholarships & Sliding Scale Options
If you know your child could really benefit from our Farm Day Camp, but the rate is an issue then contact our partner non-profit Angel K Love Project and see if your child qualifies for a partial scholarship. To apply, go to angelkloveproject.org.