Equine Services
As prey animals, horses are a lot like traumatized children; their survival depends on heightened awareness and knowing who to trust. That’s why working with horses offers a great opportunity for practicing parenting skills that are critical to developing a sense of safety and creating a healthy, healing home environment for children who have survived trauma. Caregivers learn and practice essential skills for managing challenging, trauma-based behaviors. Each 4-hour workshop will include experiential activities with horses to practice skills and perspectives that caregivers can take home and apply directly to developing a sense of safety and creating a healthy, healing home environment for children in care.
“My day with a rescued mustang taught me more about myself and my kids than I ever expected. By learning to read his non-verbal communication, I was able to know what made him scared and what made him feel safe.”
Caregivers can attend one or attend all of the workshops in any order. We encourage you to attend with a spouse, partner, or other adult involved in caring for your kids. You’ll earn 4 hours of continuing education for each workshop. Workshops are limited to 14 participants and are held at Groundwork Ranch in Louisville. These workshops are ONLY for caregivers. No riding is involved and no equine experience is necessary. No childcare is available onsite. Each workshop includes a light lunch.
Managing the Storm: Self-Regulation and Emotional Resilience
This 4-hour workshop focuses on helping foster and kinship caregivers recognize and manage their own emotional triggers. Using equine-assisted activities, participants will practice tools for staying calm and centered when faced with challenging behaviors or emotionally intense situations; skills they can directly apply to caregiving. No riding involved and no experience necessary.
2025 Dates: May 16, July 11, August 29 – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Decoding Behaviors: Understanding Trauma’s Impact on Kids
This 4-hour workshop builds on participants’ understanding of how trauma impacts brain development, attachment, and behavior. Through experiential exercises with horses, foster and kinship caregivers will gain insight into how fear and survival instincts show up in children’s actions while learning ways to notice dysregulation and respond with patience and empathy. No riding involved and no experience necessary.
2025 Dates: June 6, July 25, September 12 – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Building Bridges: Fostering Trust and Connection
This 4-hour workshop teaches practical strategies for fostering secure attachments with children who have experienced trauma. Using equine-assisted exercises, foster and kinship caregivers practice building trust and setting boundaries to create an environment and relationship that minimize their horse’s threat response; skills they can directly apply at home. No riding involved and no experience necessary.
2025 Dates: June 20, August 15, October 24 – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
