Taking reservations now, limited spots, and approvals for some Medicaid and other programs are possible and covered for sessions and camp added at no additional charge to the child; we have match funding that will cover the overnight side. Horse Life Skills programs on a working horse farm named Hearts with Hooves that works with kids to learn life skills that transfer into adulthood to become future parents, future employees, future leaders, and more.
Equine life skill camp for kids in MO and KY
- Self-worth and self-esteem: building up confidence by riding and communication through body language, as horses are a mirror into ourselves. In these life skills, the youth become the leader of the horse and have the confidence to push their potential for success.
- Responsibility: This is a working horse barn. We take care of the horses, from cleaning manure, water to be filled, feeding 2x a day, mending fences, and working together to accomplish the daily duties. Meals 3x a day, dishes, cooking, cleaning after themselves, and shared chores in the sleeping areas. Bathrooms and kitchens. In everyday life we must pick up after ourselves, take care of vehicles, maintain living and vehicles, and take care of pets, as most of the people in this world must follow society rules and can be learned through responsibility. Pets require us to properly care for the animals and be accountable for our own actions and following rules. We also have a garden that we care for that gives us fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Self-Regulation: Horses are in tune with our emotions through body language and our presence. Most kids these days are impulsive and impatient. Horses feed off our heartbeat from 4 feet away and respond to our external and internal emotions. If we are angry and short-fused, the horse will not trust and think we are unstable and untrustworthy. Training and riding help us regulate horses to get the horse to trust our decisions and help exercise impulsiveness.
- Emotional Awareness: The horse helps us develop self-awareness with them, which helps us regulate our emotions and feel empathy. This results in more understanding and richer relationships. Horses help us to be more in touch with ourselves and always help us be more in touch with others regardless of species. Nursing home visits not only bring joy to the residents but also teach us empathy. Working with horses can reduce stress and improve your mood.
- Healthy Relationships: Horses can help humans feel more comfortable socially by providing them with a bonding experience. Creating a strong relationship with an animal can help people feel more secure and confident about opening themselves to other people. Understanding horses allows us to read body language and interrupt others.
- Independence: When the youth take care of the horses, tack up the horses, ride a horse, create an independent thinker, and strive to be independent. Kids learn how to complete tasks with minimal help to work towards their independence.
Our program is LIFE SKILLS, not a riding program. All kids earn riding time, lake time, drive-in movies, and other activities. Everyone must work together, complete assigned tasks, interact with members and mentors, and more. In this world nothing is for free, and earning riding time gives the child opportunities to learn valuable life skills that help them to thrive in our adult lives.
There are several available options for payment for the retreats. Most children who are in the foster care system, kinship, guardianship, special needs, children with PTSD trauma may be eligible for the approval process to get sessions paid for, and camp is additional for no costs to participants as we do 1-hour sessions during camp. If not approved for those programs, self-pay, financial consideration, fundraising, and sponsorships are available. Multi-child discount. Weeklong and weekend retreats are available. Ask me how. We have kids that come as far as 6 hours away for our facility in Matthews. Taking reservations for the following dates: Children’s Retreats ages siblings or other kids in same home could be approved to come case by case. if over 12 yrs old.
Great News: We Take United Health Care in Ky in 3 Counties
Those children 6-21 who have United Health Care and line in counties Fayette, Jefferson, and Warren County. Weekly sessions at the KY location and available retreats in the Bootheel of Missouri. (Insurance also reimburses mileage.) Both programs contact Jennifer Layton 573-703-7974 to see if your child qualifies!
Eligibility criteria for equine therapy: a member must be a minimum of six (6) years old, participate in a care or disease management program, be considered a *complex case management, and present with one or more of the below behavioral and/or medical conditions:
Eligibility criteria for equine therapy: a member must be a minimum of six (6) years old, participate in a care or disease management program, be considered a *complex case management, and present with one or more of the below behavioral and/or medical conditions:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Substance Use/Exposed
- Major Depressive Disorder
- PTSD
- Down Syndrome
- Neuromuscular Disorder