Program Overview

Due to the vast amount of progress seen by Foundation staff, parents, family members, teachers and counselors, a large number of families have requested that students continue lessons after graduating from the Basic Horsemanship Program so the children may continue their social and/or emotional development. Many children have a more severe need that can’t completely be fulfilled within those 8 weeks.  Because of this need, the Foundation offers a limited amount of private horsemanship extended lessons at $20/lesson. (This fee covers $15 to pay the instructor and $5 for liability insurance. There is no fee for use of the facility, horses, tack, and additional staff required.)

Some families participating at the Foundation cannot afford this rate. For that reason, in 2015, the H.A.Y Foundation Board of Directors launched a new program to further promote social and emotional development and to help solidify the positive character traits—self-discipline, respect, responsibility, work ethic, and consequences of choices—endorsed by the Program. The Extended Lesson Horsemanship Program offers up to 5 discounted continuation lessons at $10/lesson to children who cannot afford private lessons at the previously mentioned rate. The parents/guardians pay only $10 and the H.A.Y. Foundation offers to pay the other $10, so that the financial needs of the staff and insurance are still met.

Of the 59 children who completed the Basic Horsemanship Program in the past 10 months, between January and September 2015, 36 children (61%) have continued and 17 of these families have requested financial assistance through the Extended Lesson Program.

The Difference

The difference in the Basic and Extended lessons is the time and curriculum. While the basic horsemanship lessons are an hour long, the extended lessons are 30 minutes long and do not follow the same strict curriculum of the basic lessons. During extended lessons, students will learn more advanced riding skills, such as loping/cantering, while continuing to better themselves and their social and/or emotional well-being.

If your child has graduated or will be graduating from the Basic Horsemanship Program,and you would like for them to continue, please see Amy to talk about extended lessons.