Programs

Full Circle Farm Therapeutic Horsemanship offers mounted and unmounted activities to individuals of all abilities. These activities are designed to provide life-skill enhancing opportunities, physical exercise and increase horsemanship skills. We also offer field trip opportunities with local schools and other groups so they can experience horses in a safe, fun atmosphere.

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic riding is a mounted equine-assisted activity for the purpose of improving the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport and recreation & leisure. Throughout the world, there are thousands of individuals with special needs who experience the rewarding benefits of horseback riding. A disability does not have to limit a person from riding horses. In fact, experiencing the motion of a horse can be very therapeutic. Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, horseback riding also provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors.

Equine-assisted learning

Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional and personal goals through unmounted equine-assisted activities.

In an EAL setting, the experiential approach integrates equine-human interaction that is guided by a planned learning experience to meet the identified goals or desires of the participant(s). Working with equines provides opportunities to teach critical life skills such as trust, respect, honesty and communication. Equines use mostly non-vocal communication and are in-tune with human behavior. This can help participants to better understand and learn how our non-verbal communication might be impacting or influencing others in their lives. Equines ask people to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Through interactions with the equines, participants learn a heightened self-awareness. Self-awareness is important in order to reveal patterns of behavior and gives participants the opportunity to think in a new way. Furthermore, participants gain self-esteem and self-confidence while learning how to work with such a large and powerful creature.They offer us the opportunity to experience humility, compassion and challenge – all critical elements to supporting self-growth and self-awareness.

Veterans Program

We work with the White River VA as part of their residential recovery program alcohol, drugs and mental health. Each week participants are given an opportunity to work on building trust, communication and relationships through unmounted horsemanship. Some participants continue on to mounted activities where they further their skills in the ring and on trails. Some of our veterans continue on to become volunteers with our program.

We also welcome any veterans that are not necessarily associated with a specific VA or program if they are interested in exploring EAAT Activities.

Vocational Training Program

Starting in Summer of 2018 we now have a Vocational Training program available to children over 14 and adults who want to learn about horse care.

This is an opportunity for those who are passionate about horses to gain valuable transferable skills relatable to other employment as well as provide motivation and tools to pursue a higher education. Training includes safety, routine care of the horses, facility safety, and daily farm chores as well as basic horsemanship skills such as horse leading, basic first aid, tack care and equine behaviors.

For more information about any of our programs please contact us