Giddy Up
Why Horses?
Horses are highly attuned to their environment and to the emotions and energy of those around them. This makes them exceptional partners for personal growth and emotional exploration.
Working with horses helps teens:
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Learn to recognize and manage their emotions.
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Build trust and confidence in their ability to navigate challenges.
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Practice effective communication and boundary-setting in a non-judgmental environment.
Horses respond to authenticity and presence, creating an opportunity for teens to learn about themselves in an honest and supportive way. The connection teens form with the herd encourages mindfulness, resilience, and self-acceptance.
Giddy Up is a 6-week support group designed for teens seeking a supportive and uplifting environment to build confidence, manage emotions, and connect with others. Guided by experienced facilitators and our incredible herd, this program provides teens with a unique opportunity to step away from the pressures of daily life, engage in meaningful activities, and grow emotionally.
Through equine-assisted learning, participants learn valuable skills such as self-regulation, effective communication, and mindfulness—all while building a deeper connection to themselves and those around them.
This is a purposefully built 6-week program, with each session building upon the last. To fully experience the benefits of Giddy Up, we encourage participants to commit to attending all six sessions. Each week introduces new tools, skills, and opportunities to connect with others and the horses, creating a transformative experience over time.
This program is completely free for participants, thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors.
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What to expect:
The program is designed to help teens feel more empowered and connected to themselves, their peers, and the world around them. During the 6-week program, teens will:
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Develop Emotional Awareness: Gain tools to recognize, understand, and manage their feelings.
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Practice Communication Skills: Build clarity and confidence in expressing themselves.
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Build Confidence: Experience personal growth by meeting challenges and building trust with our horses.
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Engage in Mindfulness: Participate in grounding exercises that help reduce anxiety and stress.
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Foster Connection: Build meaningful relationships with their peers and our herd in a supportive and safe environment.
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Learn Horsemanship Skills: Develop a basic understanding of horse care and handling while working safely and confidently with the animals.
2024 Group Participant
“My favorite part was getting to hang with the animals and have choice. I've realized I don't get choice a lot and I'm afraid to speak up. This helped”
Upcoming Programs
Round 1: Tuesday, April 1 - Tuesday, May 6 (5 - 7 PM)
Registration Available March 3rd
Round 2: Saturday, May 24 - Saturday, June 28 (10 - 12 PM)
Registration Available April 7th
Round 3: Tuesday, September 23 - Tuesday, October 28 (5 - 7 PM)
Registration Available August 1st
Impact of Your Support:
Giddy Up is provided free of charge to ensure accessibility for all participants, but each program requires significant resources to run. Here’s how your support helps:
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$8,100 covers the cost of one full 6-week program.
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$810 provides one participant access to the complete program.
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$135 funds a single two-hour session for one participant.
Your donation—no matter the size—makes a difference. Together, we can give teens the tools and support they need to thrive emotionally and socially. Thank you for helping us create a safe and healing space for growth and connection!