Our Barn Buddies clients may work on skills such as grooming and tacking to help prepare the horses for their lessons, leading horses to and from their lessons and turnouts/stalls, or developing a basic knowledge of barn management. The activities the client will be working on are centered around his or her individual interests, determined at a meeting before starting the program.
This program benefits clients with developmental delays, social /emotional challenges or those on the Autism spectrum as it develops pre-vocational skills such as time management, responsibility, professionalism, and independence. These horsemanship skills also help develop life skills such as an awareness of personal hygiene, improved self-confidence, and a sense of competency.
This program is also appropriate for those without disabilities: those who are too young to volunteer in our lesson program, but would like to begin developing their skills, and adults without much horse experience who are interested in learning more.
Typically, clients come one hour a week at a designated time.