 The Ranch utilizes a “conditioned response” training program that uses techniques developed by a nationally recognized trainer, Kenny Harlow. Harlow’s horse training methods are readily adaptable for the development of positive human relationships and parenting skills. Students are able to experience the benefits of developing trust-based relationships in a “hands-on” approach while working with horses. It has been proven that a human cannot force or abuse a horse to act against its will; therefore, a horse must learn to respect and trust its handler to achieve positive results in training. Abused or mishandled horses will react in a frightened or dangerous manner. Harlow warns, “Abuse will bring on negative results every time it is used.” Students quickly learn the accuracy of that warning while working with the Ranch’s horses. Harlow also teaches that clear communication between horse and handler is the key to receiving positive results in training. Through the actual handling and training of horses, students gain an experience that allows them to assume positive parenting and leadership skills as it enables them to develop productive interpersonal relationships for life in their families and work place.
Factors that build character through equine education:
Factors that build life skills through equine education:
Discipline: All students begin the equine program by learning proper grooming and handling techniques before riding privileges are attained. Students must exhibit the ability to follow specific safety rules, and must be able to respond to direction by the staff in order to remain involved in the program. Patience: Students will learn to accept success, as well as failure, in the handling and management of horses. All students will appreciate that horses do not always initially recognize and respond to human authority. Through their experience in horse handling, students will recognize and develop personality traits that enable positive growth in areas of respect to and compliance with authority. Students will learn proper handling and riding techniques that will allow them to create a safe and effective relationship with horses. Handling and Overcoming Fear: Students will experience both positive and negative aspects of fear. Horses are naturally predisposed to react to fearful situations by fight or flight responses much like humans. Trust: A comprehensive view of all equine training programs documents trust as the key principle to achieving response and relationships between horse and handler. Students will learn to acquire trust from the horses in the program through handling exercises and real-life riding experiences on the trail. Students will experience natural difficulties in practices such as loading, clipping, and obstacle crossing that will require a significant level of trust between horse and handler for successful results to occur. Perseverance: Rarely does a horse exhibit complete submission to an authority figure at the start of training. Students must be willing to perform countless hours of repetitive and redundant training exercises to ensure a safe and compliant mount. Anger Management: We believe that horses are perfect tools for teaching anger management skills in an authentic, social domain. Horses, like humans, seldom respond positively to abusive and tyrannical treatment. In the event of such treatment, trusting and respectful relationships are destroyed. Students will learn to control and redirect negative feelings, such as anger, jealousy, and bitterness in order to channel their energies in positive ways to achieve success. No training techniques learned by the students will involve abusive behavior. Any student who abuses a horse will no longer be permitted to work with the equine program until their behavioral issues are addressed in concordance with counseling procedures at the Ranch. Responsibility: Students will be responsible for the complete care and management of the horses, barn, tack, and equipment. Under the direction of the equine manager and cooperating staff, one student will earn the privilege of “horse duties.” That student will oversee the completion of chores and tasks involved in the equine management program. The student is responsible for recording feeding schedules, shoeing, and other health care appointments and procedures. All of the students will be responsible for grooming, handling, and saddling their own mount for the day in a safe manner. At the end of lessons, each student will use appropriate judgment for cooling down horses and for putting away tack, equipment, and supplies for future use. Accountability: The failure of students to respect safety rules could result in disaster. Likewise, the failure of students to exhibit patience, perseverance, and anger management in training exercises could result in chaos. Students will learn through their experiences with our equine program that the end product of their own actions is apparent to others, is long lasting, and may require reparations, or may result in rewards. Leadership: Horses are herd animals and possess a natural instinct to follow a strong, reliable leader. Horses, by nature, will turn from an unreliable leader that endangers the well being of the herd. Self-esteem that is built on honesty, responsibility, and accountability will be stressed throughout the program. The young men who are involved in the equine program at the Ranch will achieve skills through horse handling and management to be strong, self-confident, and fair leaders in their families, churches, and communities. |
