RoundPen

The RoundPen is an equine assisted experiential learning program. This means that participant(s) learn about themselves and others through activities with the horses, and experience feelings, behaviors, and patterns in the moment. EAPD (equine assisted personal development) is a powerful and effective approach to individual and group growth. Horses are trained in the round pen to learn to respond rather than react to difficult situations.

The RoundPen focuses on that concept – through activities with horses you have the opportunity to experience your reaction to situations with the horses and then explore the avenues available to learn to respond rather than react, then apply these skills to life’s challenges.

Activities involving horses, requires the participant(s) to apply certain skills. Non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem solving, leadership, work ethics, taking responsibility, teamwork, relationships, confidence, and attitude are several examples of the personal skills utilized and developed during a RoundPen session. The purpose of the RoundPen is to aid in the growth toward wholeness for the total person – body, mind, and spirit – by discovering and expanding skills and strategies for coping with challenging life circumstances for enhancing personal, family, or group functioning.

ParentCoaching class – It is required that the parent(s) or caregiver participate in a RoundPen class without the child. This class will help you better understand the experiential concept of equine assisted experiential learning. Then, how these lessons learned by your child with the horses, can be transferred to the relational life of the child, whether at home, school, or their social life settings. It is highly recommended that both parents attend for the child’s benefit.

ParentCoaching classes for Summer 2012 is scheduled for Monday evening, June 4, 6:00-9:00.  Cost is $125 per family. Children DO NOT attend this class. There are NO fees for your children’s participation in RoundPen and they are welcomed to sign up for more than one session after a Parent Evaluation Meeting with facilitator.  Please call Roxanne (816.223.9662) to check availability  for the summer session.

At-Risk Youth – problem solving, self esteem

Adopted Children – relational/bonding issues

Parent/Marriage Coaching – confidence, consistency, perseverance

Alternative School Programs – motivational goal setting

Church Leadership & Youth – Leadership Trainings – confidence, relational skills

Corporate Clinics – solution-focused problem solving

Participants learn by doing. Horses have the ability to mirror what human body language is telling them and they are ‘honest’, which makes them especially powerful teachers.  Horses give immediate feedback.  It’s always the same – how the participants interact in life is shown as they work with the horse. Many people will complain, “The horse is stubborn. The horse doesn’t like me,” etc.  Horses do not have these emotions, but are responding to nonverbal communication.  As the client mentally changes from reacting to responding, it becomes visibly obvious because the horse responds accordingly. The client or group will learn to better apply thinking skills, non-verbal communication, assertiveness, leadership, work ethics, responsibility, creative thinking and problem solving in these activities, ultimately transferring these skills over to their life setting and personal relationships.