Donate to Create a Year-Round Learning Space
Donation protected
For over 40 years, we have been helping youth (and adults) grow. Through working with horses, and more recently other types of livestock, our students have learned:
- Confidence - if you can convince 1,000 pounds of animal to do what you want, you CAN do anything! And, bravado doesn’t work!
- Communication - students learn to communicate with an animal that does not speak ‘the same language’!
- Patience – it takes time to achieve the best results.
- Goal setting – students are encouraged to set realistic short and long-term goals for themselves and the animal they are working with.
- Responsibility – these magnificent animals need our help daily to succeed; you cannot decide one day just not to feed them or take care of them.
- Teamwork – all students are encouraged to help others, even new learners.
- Unconditional love – the animal will love you no matter what mistake you make, what grade you get, or what you wear.
- Boundaries – there are certain things you may do, some things you are expected to do, and occasional things you may not ever do.
- Respect - for others and themselves.
- Failure is a learning experience – students come to see that “failure” is not an end product; an imperfect result means figuring out where things got off track and making it better.
Vermont weather has changed so much, we can no longer offer programming outside on natural turf 6 months of the year, October through April are challenging to safety. Ice and mud can be very dangerous. We desperately need an indoor arena, and to start with, decent footing.
We invite community groups to learn about animals, host a 4-H club, have done programs for Girl Scouts, our students are encouraged to volunteer in the community themselves as well.
We are working towards 501 c 3 status, currently we are a Low Profit, Limited Liability company registered with the Vermont Secretary of state.
Organizer
Amanda Gifford
Organizer
Fairfax, VT