A child's issues have a way of following them into the barn. When kids come through our "barn doors" they feel they have found their own special place. Our horses and other animals have something very special to offer your child. Learning new and effective ways of interacting can also extend beyond the barn door and be applied in other areas of the child's life.

Horses are honest by their very nature.

Through the mirroring power of horses, your child will see, often quite powerful, the impact their choices, attitudes, and behavior have upon another living creature. Horses are prey animals and communicate solely through body language. We teach your child how to "read" this language and how to pay attention to their horse’s reactions and feelings. Step by step we teach them which of their patterns and behaviors are effective and which need to be modified in order to become strong leaders for their horse. A relationship with a horse is a powerfully motivating incentive for children to want to change. It provides us a perfect social model for helping your child learn responsibility, accountability, and self-discipline.

It's Not Just About Me

To put another creature ahead of their own wants, needs, and desires allows a child to experience true empathy and perspective taking. This program was built on the foundation of Natural Horsemanship, which emphasizes putting the horse's point of view first and foremost in your child's mind. We have seen children make powerful shifts in moving from what we have termed "me moments" to "we moments." This program is not about forcing the horse to do things for your child. It is about teaching your child how to become the kind of person that horses want to do things with. In order to accomplish this, a child always needs to consider their horse’s point of view.

"I have learned that sometimes what I want to do is not always
best for my horse. Sometimes they are scared I need to stop
and take care of them. And I want to take care of my horse
because my horse takes care of me."

Leadership Skills 101

If you understand how a horse’s mind works, you can learn how to become an effective Leader for your horse. Your child will learn that in order to earn respect from your horse, you must be consistent, assertive, kind, and fair. If these skills are not in balance, your communication will not be effective. We teach children the skills necessary for them to gain confidence and self-reliance. Magic happens when a child finds that they are able to gently ask a 1000 pound animal to back up with the wiggle of their finger. Empowerment occurs when they learn to effectively solve problems as they arise.

"My horse is much bigger and stronger than me.
I have had to learn that I must respect my horse
before they can respect me.
But once we respect each other we are powerful together
and then it seems like anything is possible!"

Children are naturally drawn to these magnificent animals who provide them with unconditional acceptance and love. Horses, as herd prey animals, are naturally sensitive, intuitive and social.

Developing a relationship with a horse is the same as developing a friendship with a peer. You must establish trust, earn mutual respect, and be a good communicator.

Horses have unique personalities and children learn how to appreciate individual differences in each of them and how to modify themselves accordingly.

Horses always tell the truth and thus they provide a powerful tool for building insight and self-awareness. A child has the unique opportunity for nonjudgmental feedback regarding how their emotions, behavior, and energy level is impacting their relationship with the animal and others in their life.

Trails to Success is not a traditional riding program. We do much more than just jump on, put our heels down and "kick to go!" We are focused on establishing and maintaining a relationship with our horse first and foremost. From this place, we then provide children with the unique opportunity for a "whole horse experience" which includes everything from barn chores, horse care and learning horse psychology to advancing riding skills

Observing Herd Dynamics teaches perspective taking, “reading” body language, and boundaries.

Setting Horsemanship Goals build self-awareness, goal achievement, managing frustration and accurate self-appraisal.

Grooming teaches trust, empathy, and responsibility.

Groundwork games teach nonverbal communication, assertiveness, perspective-taking, and self-regulation.

Drill Team Riding allows us to harness the “Power of We” and teach teamwork and negotiation.

Games on Horseback (that we’ve specifically developed) include Hors-o-poly, Team Treasure Hunt, and The Mirror Game teach problem-solving, conflict resolution, and managing/expressing emotions.

"Horses have taught me self-control. Just because I'm frustrated
does not mean it's okay for me to take it out on my horse. I have to
control it because I would never hurt my horse."

Does my child have to have prior horse experience or do they have to work with the horses?

The short answer is no, but if they do, then great!

We accommodate children of all backgrounds, from those that have no experience whatsoever with horses, to those who have the goal of advancing their horsemanship. Our belief is that having children of varying skill sets is a good thing. As in life, each of us has various experiences that we bring to a particular setting. Part of being socially skilled is learning how we fit into the larger social framework.

A child that has been riding for years will learn more about “horse psychology” and be allowed to work on leadership skills by teaching a less experienced peer. A child afraid of horses will learn how to step outside their comfort zone and cope with anxiety to become more confident. Each child is challenged at their own level within an accepting and non-competitive atmosphere.

As a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Member Center (NAHRA), we strictly adhere to all safety standards set forth by that organization. Our horse staff has special training working with children with various learning and emotional struggles. For more information see www.narha.org.

If horses just aren’t your child’s "thing" then that’s okay too! We have other ranch animals that we use to teach the very same principles such as baby cows, pigs, rabbits, sheep, goats, and chickens!

What is Natural Horsemanship?

The Trails to Success Program has been founded on many of the principles in natural horsemanship and particularly those of Pat Parelli, one of the most respected and internationally known “horse whisperers” of our time. The natural horsemanship method (visit www.parellinaturalhorsetraning.com) allows horse lovers at all levels and disciplines to achieve: success without force, partnership without dominance, teamwork without fear, willingness without intimidation, and harmony without coercion.

The natural horsemanship program combines common sense psychology with horses. Unlike many training programs, the natural horsemanship method is focused on developing the human, not training the horse. Early on, Pat realized that horses already had all the skills they needed to thrive and relate with their kind. It was adding the human element that complicated things. "People realize this is what they've been looking for in all their relationships," states Pat Parelli. "It's balanced with love, language and leadership in equal doses. The program and their horse give them a living model so they can practice and become fluent in their abilities in all relationships, not just the horse relationships."