Therapeutic Horse Management
PBJ Connections offers three programs designed for training youth in the skills necessary to manage and care for horses. Non-riding sessions focus on horse-related skills while working on self-discipline, job skills, and communication skills. Adolescent clients learn skills that will assist them with any job upon graduation. Sessions take place one to two times per week for two hours and clients work through three levels of equine assisted learning. An equine specialist and/or a mental health professional facilitate every session.
- Connect and Climb Ahead – Our introductory horse skills program begins with familiarizing the youth with horses and horse management. With an emphasis on safety, non-riding activities will be used to assess the individual’s interests and required training while improving communication skills. Groups will be limited to two participants and will be facilitated by a Mental Health Professional and/or an Equine Specialist. Groups meet once per week for four weeks.
- Connect with Confidence – After mastering the Connect and Climb Ahead program, youth will further develop horse management skills in Connect with Confidence. Through this program, the youth will develop skills in a variety of horse related tasks such as grooming, tacking and un-tacking, feeding and watering, and stable cleaning. Groups will be limited to two participants and will be facilitated by a Mental Health Professional and/or an Equine Specialist. Groups meet once per week for six to eight weeks.
- Connect with Capability – Youth will focus on one area of horse management and hone their skills. A simulated work environment where the youth get to practice being managed as if they were “on the job” will be provided. In Connect with Capability, the youth will work independently and under the supervision of a Mental Health Professional and/or an Equine Specialist. This session will last eight to ten weeks.