PROGRAM OFFERINGS
NSN offers children the opportunity to participate in non-riding horse related activities that still incorporate therapeutic human-horse interaction. The intuitive and accepting nature of the horse motivates participants to achieve physical, emotional, social and educational goals with a special horse and/or the other farm animals. We provide the opportunity for children to safely care for and build a relationship with the horses using natural horsemanship methods. This special relationship with the horses and animals promotes trust, mutual respect, communication, self-confidence, assertiveness, and leadership skills.
Barn Buddies
Activities in and around the barn are adapted to the child’s abilities and can include learning parts of the horse, how horses communicate with us, how we can care for horses by feeding and watering them, grooming them and keeping their living areas clean and dry (and teaching why all those things are important!) Children can choose specific activities weekly, including grooming, bathing, braiding, decorating, tacking, leading, basic training exercises, and even playing games with their horse from the ground. Children can enjoy a multitude of activities with the other animals, such as walking the trails with our goats, feeding chickens and collecting their eggs, giving snuggles to our friendly barn cat, and preparing meals and treats for all the animals. This program encourages nurturing, compassion, outward focus, responsibility, empowerment and leadership as well as communication with their horse and their volunteer leader.
Hiking With Horses
For those children not comfortable with being on top of a horse, but who still want to enjoy the benefits of our trails, Hiking With Horses provides them the opportunity to commune in nature with their special four legged friend. Our trails offer a rich learning environment of woodland paths consisting of slopes, turns, varied footing, natural sights and sounds and the opportunity to witness other animals in nature, including wild rabbits, turkey, deer, birds, toads, butterflies, and the occasional garden snake! In this peaceful environment, the child observes the world around (outward focus) and is led to interact with it naturally while leading the horse. The trails stimulate the senses and help strengthen physical balance and coordination while fostering empowerment, responsibility, compassion, confidence, communication and leadership.
2020 Session Dates and Times
2020-2021
Thursdays
4:00-6:00
Saturdays
9:00-2:00
One half or full hour per week per scheduled date and time. Please call or email for availability for any/all session offerings.