Future Programs
The Equine Project has had the opportunity to work with just about every walk of life to determine which human need could be met with horses. This has resulted in the establishment of different programs to meet the specific need of our community. While we currently operate many of these programs on a small scale, we are moving into another phase and will be able to offer these programs to the public soon. With this turn of events, a larger facility is needed to foster these programs on a full time basis. Please continue to scroll down to become familiar with some of the programs The Equine Project wishes to bring to our communities.
Cowboy Up – Cowboy-Up is dedicated to assist troubled youth in our communities. In this particular youth program, we use horses to teach responsibility, respect, self-awareness, positive attitudes, positive choices, and manners. We also use the change in surroundings and expectations to instill in young people the idea that what they are accustomed to is not all that there is.
A camp program for young people, Cowboy-Up is designed as an alternative or adjunct to probation, community service, or juvenile hall. Small groups are brought to the site, housed in dorms, and are taught basic horsemanship and animal husbandtry. They will learn that a horse doesn't care who you think you are, and in order to work with them, they must treat the horses with care and with genuine respect.
F.E.O.S.A.P. – F.E.O.S.A.P. is affectionately called Fundamental Educational Outdoor School Activities Program. This program is designed to save a child’s life should he or she ever become lost in the wilderness. This program is designed to teach invaluable survival skills that most kids would never otherwise receive. Children will gain confidence as they go through this journey on horseback.
The Great American Native First Born - Reinstating the heritage of The Great American Native First Born. Through The Equine Project’s programs we teach respect, honor, and traditional tribal values.
Search & Rescue Equine Division – Horses bring much to the table when it comes to disaster response. In the early 70’s David Boyd founded Iron Horseman Search and Rescue Unit No. 1, the only horseback unit to actually become tied to the county. He was able to train horses to scent and track missing people. What David and his team discovered, being on horseback, a visual height advantage is gained allowing one to see further than on foot and the ability to travel faster also was apparent. Horses also can cross terrain that would otherwise seem impassable – even by four wheelers. Another great advantage is the fact of the horses heightened senses and their instinctive survival drive, that is of immeasurable benefit to keeping a team safe and locating victims that are nearby but unable to communicate. Over the years, we have bred horses for this very purpose and plan to start another unit in the near future.
Touch - The Touch program is designed to heal traumatized people and horses together. People and horses that have been abused can relate to each other in ways that is beyond our understanding.
The Touch program starts with a group of traumatized people who come together to learn about horses. We go through the basics of horsemanship, safety, general care, grooming, etc. It is through this process that these individuals are introduced to a select group of horses. All of these horses have been rehabilitated (learn more about this in our Rescue Program) from a similar trauma. Probably the most important take away from this process is the ability to communicate not only with horses, but with each other. Eventually, these individuals are paired with these special horses and will continue to use these horses in individual sessions as well in group activities such as trail riding, game and more.
At the completion of the Touch program, our goal is for people to leave with a sense of peace and self worth. They will also leave with close friendships and bonds that last a lifetime.
Retirement Center - Horses do so much for us throughout their years. It is only fitting that we offer the ability for our senior horses to live the rest of their days in peace, happiness, and dignity. In our retirement program, our goal is to honor these special horses by providing them with a sanctuary. We do not believe in just putting them out to pasture. Rather, we find jobs that they can do so that they continue to feel alive and youthful. We will use some of these horses in programs like I Can, F.E.O.S.A.P, and Touch.
I Can – I Can is a program designed for the impaired. Much like our touch program, we bond people and horses together. Some of the horses that we use for this program were rescued and some were born with disabilities. Regardless of how they came to us, they are able to connect with people on a very real level. There is something amazing about the bond that is created between a blind person and a blind horse. Our goal is to use these horses to not only heal emotional wounds, but also for physical therapy, as riding has been proven to be very effective in helping to develop motor skills and balance.