The HOPE Program – Horses Offering Personal Empowerment. At the ranch our experiences have taught us that regardless of working with rescue horses/animals or with humans that the degree of impact made is directly tied to the strength of the relationships built. Here at the ranch everything starts from relation origin. It is not just a concept it is a way of doing life and one that is lived at the ranch in all that we strive to do. We believe it is through relationships and a genuine belief in the importance of investing in human capital that allows the places we live, play and work to cultivate attributes necessary for personal and professional success . The program takes a relational approach to examining how our relationships play a role in our everyday personal and professional lives. It is unique in its ability to offer healing while increasing self awareness that leads to opportunities for tools to be added to an individuals “tool box” further empowering new knowledge and perspectives that support personal and professional development and aids in healing.
While Hope Rides specializes in bring healing and hope to individuals who are broken and hurting, the mission of Hope Rides reaches further by seeking to bring a transformational experience to our greater community. Over the years, organizations and community groups have approached Hope Rides to learn more about how they may support and benefit from the amazing experience people encounter when they come to the ranch. For this reason, Hope Rides is proud to offer the H.O.P.E program to serve adults from wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.
Whether working with professional groups towards team building or an individual with specific life related skill development needs the Hope Ride’s seeks to recognize that every person is unique, thus Hope Rides seek to meet each individual in a relational way exactly where they are at and customize the experience for their specific place in life. This is no different when it comes to group programming. We believe that each organization is unique in its people, culture and mission and for that reason it is our desire to provide an experience that fits the specific needs of the group.
What is Equine Assisted Personal Growth,Team Building & Leadership Training:
What is Equine Assisted Personal Growth, Team Building and Leadership Training? It engages individuals and groups in activities using horses. It has the ability to offer an opportunity to explore a wide range of specific personal life related skills that are needed to successfully manage daily life. This experience provides a unique way to explore a wide range of life related needs and skillsets used in all aspect of our daily life interactions. This approach is particularly powerful both on a personal level, a professional level and within roles of an organization.
Why Horses:
In the wild horses are animals of prey. To survive they must be acutely aware of their surroundings and have the ability to accurately assess the level of threat posed at any time. Through generations this has equipped horses with an amazing ability to read body language and intention. Horses provide a powerful “mirror” of humans. A team of people and a herd of horses have a lot in common. They both require strong leadership; clear, consistent communication and a keen awareness of the needs and
goals of the “herd” group. Horses provide us with a dramatic view of how our leadership skills and teamwork measure up. Horses have no hidden agendas. Their communications and actions are very black and white. They are large, often intimidating, and can’t be bullied into partnership. They are quick thinkers and movers and react in direct proportion to one’s ability to lead. Their unbiased mirror is capable of teaching us a great deal about ourselves, and the effect we have on communities we live, work and play in. Horses afford us the opportunity to rebuild our own sense of well-being and confidence, and to become reacquainted with the idea that horses and humans were in fact naturally designed to function best as part of a dynamic, well-coordinated team.
How it Works: We design a series of activities that incorporate horses that require individuals to utilize life skills to accomplish various projects and tasks. These activities create situations, scenarios and challenges that require individuals, families and teams to work together to find solutions to achieve specific goals. The unique hands on exercises act as a catalyst for further dialog that create an opportunity for participants to process internally and externally the experience. The ability to do self reflection and group reflection allows for a powerful mirroring effect and valuable insight into how are physical, emotional and mental health play into our effectiveness in life management skills. This allows a participant to draw insights both personally and within group dynamics. The insights gained empower people to understand how they play a role in the overall contribution to the group as well as within their personal lives.
The activities are intertwined with break out sessions and opportunities to dialog that further bring awareness and develop skills needed to empower people both personally and professionally.
Outcomes Can You Experience:
- Discover unique dynamics and build on them
- Improve social interaction
- Create awareness of individual role and value
- Improve collaboration, cooperation & communication
- Increase confidence and well-being of members in your herd
- Increase motivation and creative problem solving
- Individual and Team Empowerment
- Bring awareness to the variables that are blocking success
- Enhance the process of growth and healing
- Strengthen important life skills necessary in all aspects of human daily interaction
- Stretch skills to handle new/unknown challenges
Get Started:
- Session/Workshops are available in a half or full day format and are catered to meet the specific needs and goals of the individual or group.
- A typical day would include hands on activities with the horses, demonstrations, and reflection.
- The workshop is appropriate for individuals of all levels of physical capability
- No horse experience needed
- 100% of work/activities are done on the ground-No riding involved
- Involves use of horses to apply life skills
- Sessions take place in the pasture, barn, arena and meeting areas
- Give us a call to discuss your event and we will be happy to discuss your specific needs.
To set up an individual/family session or to inquire about setting up a group event please fill out the H.O.P.E form. A representative from Hope Rides will follow up with you. You are also welcome to reach out to us at 612-310-6350 or email info@hoperides.org