Horsemanship Clinics with H.A.Y.

The H.A.Y. Foundation offers Group Horsemanship Clinics to local schools and organizations. Clinics have been conducted at many schools and early learning centers in Nixa, while groups coming from further away have attended clinics at Laurel Arena, the home of the H.A.Y. Foundation, in Nixa. During the 2013-14 school year, Horsemanship Clinics were presented to approximately 1,687 students at Nixa High School, Matthews Elementary, Espy Elementary, Century Elementary, Nixa Jr High and Nixa Early Learning Center.  The H.A.Y. Foundation conducts Horsemanship Clinics for three purposes: 

1. To introduce equine safety and teach basic horsemanship, while incorporating the character traits of self-discipline, respect, responsibility, work ethic, and consequences of choices;
2. To allow children who have participated in the H.A.Y. Foundation Basic Horsemanship Lesson Program the opportunity to display their self confidence and communication skills in front of their peers and provide the school staff members who referred children to the program the opportunity to learn more about the program and witness the results first hand;
3. To expose youth to the psychological benefits of working with and riding horses.
   

During clinics, students learn about equine and safety from instructors with the assistance of a full grown horse in a round pen, miniature horses, or a life size model horse (when weather doesn’t permit the use of live horses).  Horsemanship Clinics also provide counselors, teachers and parents information about how the H.A.Y. Foundation can assist children in the community who are dealing with social and/or emotional challenges.  Brochures and information on how to refer students to the H.A.Y. Foundation Lesson Program are provided.  Horsemanship Clinics also provide older students with knowledge about this community resource which gives them the opportunity to talk to a counselor, teacher or parent and refer themselves or a peer who could emotionally benefit from the H.A.Y. Foundation program.
                Horsemanship Clinics also allow children who have been approved by the H.A.Y. Foundation Board of Directors and completed the Horsemanship Lesson Program, the opportunity to display their self confidence and communication skills in front of their peers.  This has been extremely important to promote self esteem, behavioral self-control and communication skills of these students.  In the past 2 years, principals, counselors and teachers at Nixa Public Schools have referred numerous students to the H.A.Y. Foundation Horsemanship Lesson Program due to social, emotional and/or psychological challenges.  Horsemanship Clinics allow these referring adults to witness the results of the program by watching the students share their accomplishments and teach other peers and adults. 

If you are interested in learning more about H.A.Y. Foundation Horsemanship Clinic opportunities, please contact us at:
thehayfoundation@gmail.com