Horses have captivated humans for centuries. They are elegant creatures with a powerful stature, dynamic speed, keen intelligence, and an ability to be so accurately sensitive and intuitive to human emotions. Over the last few decades, equine-assisted activities have become one of the most recognized recreational activities. Research has shown that engaging and partnering with horses in equine-related activities can have a significant positive effect on a human’s physical, mental and emotional health.
Southern Strides offers a variety of programs that allows our clients to interact with our herd on the ground and in the saddle. Our team consists of counselors, equine specialists, and instructors that can carefully construct a program and set of goals that are uniquely designed to meet the needs of our clients.
Southern Strides offers the following equine services:
- Equine Facilitated Learning
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
- School Field Trips
- Operation Southern Strides
- Recreational Adaptive Horsemanship
- Lesson Program
- Mighty Max and Friends Program
- Southern Strides Readers
- Corporate Team Building
Proud Provider Of The Step Up For Students Program
Equine Assisted Activities
Equine Facilitated Learning
Equine Facilitated Learning is an experiential learning approach that focuses on developing life skills and strengthening relationships. While partnering with our horses, on the ground, or mounted, participants gain insight into their own lives through self-discovery. In EAL sessions, participants learn horsemanship skills and how to interact with our herd. Horses communicate primarily using non-verbal language that can provide instant feedback to the participant about their actions. This horse-human interaction can help participants have a better understanding of their behavior and how it affects their relationships with others. Individuals, families, and groups of all ages can benefit from equine-assisted learning.
Benefits include:
- Deeper Understanding of Self
- Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
- Improve Self Control
- Setting Boundaries and Increased Awareness
- Improve Problem Solving Skills
- Learn Responsibility
- Improve Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Development of Trust
- Leadership Skills
- Creative Thinking
- and Much More.
All focus points listed to the left can be explored through:
- Individual, Couples and Family Equine Assisted Learning
- Individual, Couples and Family Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
- Individual, Couples and Family Counseling
- Group Sessions
- Workshops
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is the combination of horses, a licensed mental health therapist, and an equine specialist working with clients to address an individual’s psychotherapy treatment goals. This approach allows clients to participate in activities with the horses while processing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. EAP sessions provide a safe space for clients to be challenged in hopes of breaking down barriers and changing dysfunctional patterns. There are a variety of issues that are discussed in an EAP session for an individual or family. Some common issues include:
- Post Traumatic Stress
- Anxiety and Depression
- Anger
- Boundaries
- Communication
- Trust
- Sadness and Grief
- Social Issues
- Separation
- And Much More.
Our team strives to help our clients explore their mental health needs, develop a treatment plan, and assist them in achieving their goal.
We maintain our client’s privacy and abide by HIPAA regulations.
Benefits include:
- Deeper Understanding of Self
- Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
- Improve Self Control
- Setting Boundaries and Increased Awareness
- Improve Problem Solving Skills
- Learn Responsibility
- Improve Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Development of Trust
- Leadership Skills
- Creative Thinking
- and Much More.
All focus points listed to the left can be explored through:
- Individual, Couples and Family Equine Assisted Learning
- Individual, Couples and Family Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
- Individual, Couples and Family Counseling
- Group Sessions
- Workshops
Faith Based Options
We offer all our equine services with a faith-based option if our clients prefer. Our team designs an individualized program for each client to meet their goals that can include biblical studies and references. The Southern Strides team consists of Associate Pastors and Prayer Counselors that are available upon request.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10
Operation Southern Strides
There are things I’ve seen that I can’t “unsee” and I didn’t know how it was affecting me and relationships with others.
-Anonymous, Law Enforcement Officer
“The Department of Veteran Affairs released an alarming report in September 2019 showing that at least 60,000 veterans died by suicide between 2008 and 2017, with little sign that the crisis is abating despite suicide prevention being the VA’s top priority.”
— REPORTED BY MILITARY.COM ON SEPTEMBER 2019
Our program Operation Southern Strides is specifically designed for veterans, active military, first responders, and their families. Southern Strides was created to provide services to those struggling with Post Traumatic Stress as a result of their service. Our goal is for our clients to partner with our equines and learns coping skills for stress, anxiety, and depression. As prey animals, horses are very intuitive and sensitive to human emotions and behavior. Through observation, groundwork, and riding exercises, our clients learn how horses interact with each other. This provides a foundation for our clients to apply what they have learned and examine how their behaviors affect themselves and their relationships with others. Horses have a special gift of providing feedback through their behavior to our clients that can give insight into their emotional distress. Through partnering and interacting with our horses, our clients discover things about themselves that they might not have learned without this type of feedback. The ultimate goal for our clients is they learn how to move forward with life, finding their natural balance after trauma, one steady stride at a time.
Focus Points of the Operation Southern Strides Program:
- Re-Integration Process
- Coping Skills for Post Traumatic Stress
- Building Relationships Through Improved Communication
- Self-Acceptance
- Battle Techniques Against Anxiety and Depression
- Grief Process
- Counseling and Education For Family Members
All focus points listed to the left can be explored through:
- Individual, Couples and Family Equine Assisted Learning
- Individual, Couples and Family Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
- Individual, Couples and Family Counseling
- Group Sessions
- Workshops
Sponsor a Veteran/First Responder
It is a part of Southern Strides' mission to provide therapy to Veteran's, First Responders, and their families at no cost to them.
Online donations can be made via Stripe by clicking here or on the button below. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Recreational Adaptive Horsemanship
The Recreational Adaptive Horsemanship Program was created as a additional resource to help clients meet the goals of their treatment plans given to them by their medical providers in the community as well others who are wanting to improve themselves. Our clients learn horsemanship and riding skills while meeting the needs for their overall health. This program was designed with a holistic approach that focuses on the client’s physical, mental, emotional, psychological and social well being. Sessions are taught by PATH International certified instructors, Certified Equine specialists, Certified Personal Trainers and Certified Sports Nutritional Coaches who use a variety of exercises to meet the needs of each client. Our team assesses the client’s physical, emotional, mental strengths, and identifies barriers and limitations, then designs a plan and helps the client set goals to strive for.
How Adaptive Horsemanship Works
Learning horsemanship and riding skills can be physically and mentally challenging, but the rewards are endless. Recreational Adaptive Horsemanship sessions include a combination of learning groundwork training with the horses and mounted activities. Groundwork training helps clients improve balance, muscle strength, hand-eye coordination, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and much more. The groundwork training prepares the client for mounted activities.
For mounted sessions, the gait of a horse rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a way similar to a human gait. Riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in fine motor skills, positive sensory stimulation, flexibility, decreased spasticity, balance, muscle strength, mobility, and coordination. Beyond the physical benefits of adaptive horsemanship, the psychological gain is equally rewarding. Participants increase their confidence, learn to overcome fear, learn responsibility, improve self-control and patience as well as improve their overall sense of well-being. Riders have to control their horse and their body which increases their self-esteem and sense of achievement as they advance their skill level. The goal of our program is to design a plan that challenges our client’s so they can meet their individual goals, but more importantly, have fun!
Horsemanship Program
Southern Strides offers riding lessons to all ages and skill levels. Our lesson program is designed to develop riding skills and teach proper horsemanship. We strive to help our clients have an enjoyable experience where they feel challenged, increase their confidence, learn to build a horse and human bond while achieving their riding goals.
Adults and Children over 8 years of age
Lessons are one hour and consist of grooming the horse, groundwork fundamentals, riding lesson, and care of the horse.
Private and group lessons are available. Riders must be near the same skill level for group lessons.
Children under age 7
Lessons are 1/2 hour and consist of handling and grooming the horse, riding lesson, and care of the horse.
Mighty Max and Friends Program
Our Mighty Max and Friends program was developed for clients who are looking to participate in equine-assisted activities but want to work with miniature horses. Most are familiar with dogs working as therapy animals, but more recently miniature horses are being trained for this purpose. Miniature horses are very effective in helping people with disabilities, the elderly, but especially children. They are usually not any taller than 34 inches and generally weigh 150 to 250 pounds. Miniature horses are very affectionate, extremely intelligent, and are easy to train. Their small size makes them less intimidating to children and clients who may fear working with larger animals. Although miniature horses can be ridden, they are typically used for companionship.
Inspiration for the program
Maximus aka “Max” is the inspiration behind the Mighty Max and Friends Program that was created in 2019. Max was small, at only 24 inches tall, but he truly was mighty. After Max arrived at Southern Strides, it didn’t take long for him to show his full potential at increasing his students’ confidence levels. He has worked with students who struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and trust issues. Max was happy to work teaching students horsemanship skills as well as just hanging in the barn being groomed and petted. He had friends that are a part of his program- Billy, the Donkey, Thom the cat, and Rooster the Boxer.. All of Max’s friends enjoy being a part of his program. Unfortunately, in early 2023, Max passed away leaving many hearts broken, but touched forever by his personality, sense of humor and love.
In Memory Of Max
Southern Strides Readers
Southern Strides offers an exciting program for children ages 5-13 that helps children find joy while improving their reading skills. Reading can be a magical experience, but for many children, it can be very frustrating which can result in a lack of confidence. There are a variety of reasons that lead to difficulty with reading and comprehension including depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and many more with all resulting in feelings of embarrassment and shame. Many times these feelings lead to children becoming withdrawn, distant from family and peers, decrease school performance, and behavioral changes. Ultimately, the struggles with literacy in early childhood can affect their success throughout life.
At Southern Strides, we address challenges with literacy by partnering with horses in a creative environment that encourages children to interact with the horses while improving their reading skills. Horses are social, interactive and nonjudgmental creatures that offer a safe, comforting presence to a timid reader in a world that can seem unbalanced and often cruel. When children are provided a learning environment that is exciting, shame free, and rich in experiential learning, they begin to build their confidence, expand their knowledge and learn how to conquer their own barriers.
SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
Southern Strides offers field trips opportunities for many organizations including elementary through high schools, home schools, church youth groups, girl scouts, boy scouts, and many others.
Students will learn:
*Ranch and Horse Safety
*Horse Behavior and Herd Dynamics
*Horse Science
*Horse Breeds and Color
*The Different Disciplines of Riding
*Health Issue That Affect Horses Today
*Proper Care and Maintenance of Horses
*Horse Nutrition
*Maintenance and Management of an Equestrian Facility
*Proper Training Techniques for Horses
*Proper Riding and Equitation
More importantly, students will also learn:
*Responsibility
*Patience
*Respect
*Communication
*Accountability
*Leadership
*Acceptance
*Teamwork
*Boundaries
*much more…..
Field trips are available all days of the week. Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch and/or snacks. We can accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 40 participants. Children age six and up can participate in our field trips.
All field trip participants are required to have a release form signed by their parent or guardian prior to the day of the field trip. Safety is always a top priority. Riding helmets will be provided. Closed toed shoes are required. Everyone is encouraged to bring a water bottle and apply sunscreen.
Call for pricing!
Corporate Team Building
Equine Assisted Learning is at the cutting edge of leadership training, team building, and corporate development in America. Being an effective leader in the corporate world today requires a unique set of skills. Southern Strides has designed a program to help participants develop important transferable skills needed to encourage individuals to work together for positive results. The goal of our program is to foster critical thinking, uncover barriers to productivity, improve team unity, and inspire participants to achieve their professional potential. Participants will be immersed in a whole-body learning experience with the horses where they will develop, and apply relationship, and life skills, and reflect on their teamwork abilities. In essence, working with horses provides an opportunity to define or reinforce their place in the larger corporate culture as well as bring out the best in ourselves, each other, and the team.
What To Expect
In Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), our team works in partnership with our horses as co-facilitators in the learning process for human emotional growth, learning, and change. Horses are very much like humans in that they are social animals that build relationships within their community, known as a herd. Like humans, they have different personalities, attitudes, and moods that affect their relationship with other horses in their herd. As prey animals, horses are always seeking a confident and trustworthy leader to provide safety. This survival skill equips horses with the ability to recognize leadership qualities in humans and provide a powerful view of how human leadership skills and teamwork measure up. Horses are the ultimate experts in understanding the unspoken conversation behind every interaction and behavior. In EAL, participants work with the horses to form a connection based on clear communication and trust. This requires our clients to actively engage physically, mentally, and psychologically. Horses are sensitive to behavior changes and intuitive to emotions providing an opportunity for a metaphorical style learning experience for our participants to see how their behavior and responses affect their personal relationships. This powerful style of learning provides instant feedback that can be transferred and applied to life experiences and work environments. With guided reflection by our team, EAL allows individuals to learn about themselves and others through self-discovery by participating in the activities. These activities help identify feelings, behaviors, and difficult patterns that may be affecting the individual or their team. Our team strives to provide a learning experience that is memorable, but most importantly, that our clients HAVE FUN!
Topics Discussed In Our Program:
- Leadership Skills
- Communication
- Decision Making
- Problem Solving
- Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Much More