2022 Horse Connections Prevention Programs

Please see all programs offered during 2022

Program offerings are separated by Year-Round, Spring, Summer, and Fall

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YEAR-ROUND

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INDIVIDUAL HORSE CONNECTIONS LESSONS

Where participants can deepen their relationships with the horses and themselves.

–> Open to all genders and ages.

PLAY GROUP

Take a breath, slow down and explore fun and creative connections with horses and art. Children and caregivers will be invited by equine professionals into the pasture to meet and greet the horse herd. Building a relationship with horses is not only fun, but provides meaningful connections. ArtisTree staff will be joining us to guide art projects.

FREE Community Program. For children ages birth-5, with caregivers. In partnership with The Family Place.

VETERANS GROUPS AND RETREATS

MoonRise collaborates with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports by offering veterans a time to visit MRT and discover a calm and healing connection with the horses.

FREE Community Program.–> Open to 6 participants. In partnership with Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.

FAMILY DAY

Take some time out and take a deep breath. Meet our horse herd and deepen connections.

FREE Community Program. Families of any size or type.

CIRCLE OF SECURITY PARENTING GROUP

At times, all parents or caregivers feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us, or how to respond to their behavior. Parenting is a lifetime journey. Circle of Security benefits families with children of any age. This parenting series is designed to: Enhance understanding of your child’s emotional needs. Learn how to read those needs. Support your child’s ability to manage emotions. Strengthen parent-child relationship. Play with horses to practice and integrate Circle of Security concepts.

FREE Community Program. Families of any size or type.

FALL 2022

LGBTQ+ FOR YOUTH & CAREGIVERS

Horses help us deepen understanding and communication. Are you a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+ or questioning? Are you a caregiver of a teen who identifies as LGBTQ+? We invite you into a safe space to explore connections and relationships. Thursday afternoon is for youth, Friday afternoon is for caregivers and Saturday is for youth and caregivers.

–> Ages 13-18. Open to all genders.

ADULT HORSE CONNECTIONS GROUP

Participants will learn basic ground centered skills to safely partner with a horse to greet, groom, and lead to/from paddock, stall and/or ring. Instructors will teach participants basic equitation including, but not limited to emotional regulation and self-care as well as basic horse knowledge, safety and handling. Expressive arts will be utilized to assist in learning and reinforcement of experiential learning.

–> Ages 18+. Open to all genders.

–> No skill or previous experience required for attendance.

PARTNERSHIP AND AGILITY

Would you like to deepen your communication and working relationship with horses? You will have an opportunity to build trust, effective communication and have fun with horses.

Out of all the prey animals, it was the horse’s curiosity which lead them to man over 3,000 years ago (Temple Grandin.) This unique relationship can offer profound experiences. How do we communicate with a 1,200 lb prey animal? How do we invite them to stay with us and how do we ask them to move away toward a desired goal? How do we gain their trust? Ultimately the client asks how do I get a willing participant when we are not totally aligned? Something most effective leaders ask or intuitively do.  

In this course we will be introducing basic horse care (stall care and grooming) that we believe initiates the relationship of trust. Participants will work hands on with the horses under guided supervision in the pastures, barn and various arenas. Obstacles will be created in these controlled environments for the client to maneuver their horse through. We will have discussion groups before and after every session for goal setting and reflection. There will be observation time as well.

The goal of our time together will be to partner with our horse through an obstacle course with as little physical contact as possible.

–> Ages 13 and up. Open to all genders. Open to 5-6 participants.

YOUTH HORSE CONNECTIONS GROUP

Participants will learn basic ground centered skills to safely partner with a horse to greet, groom, and lead to/from paddock, stall and/or ring. Instructors will teach participants basic equitation including, but not limited to emotional regulation and self-care as well as basic horse knowledge, safety and handling. Expressive arts will be utilized to assist in learning and reinforcement of experiential learning.

–> Ages 9-12. Open to all genders.

–> No skill or previous experience required for attendance.

SPRING 2023

ART OF THE HORSE WORKSHOP

This unmounted equine workshop encourages participants to explore the process of developing and deepening relationships between the self and horses using the expressive arts as a vehicle for communication. 

Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn about horses and how to safely connect with them through the creative arts, such as painting, drawing, music and movement.  No skill in art or equine required.

The workshop will be conducted primarily outside, appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes must be worn. Please bring a sun hat, insect repellent and water. Art materials will be provided. Bring a journal if you like!   

This workshop will be co-led by Ben Fox LCMHC, expressive art therapist, and Elizabeth Ricketson, professional painter and art teacher. 

–> Open to all genders, ages 18+. Open to 6 participants.

–> No experience is necessary in the arts or horses.