Standing Watch
Horses, like people, mask their pain and hide their tension. Standing Watch is a one-person/one-horse (with instructor) experience using the Masterson Method. The participant “stands watch” with their horse, applying a gentle light touch in cycles of response and release of tension, watchful and present for positive reactions from the horse.
Standing Watch is equally beneficial to people. Repeated and prolonged gentle touch makes participants more relaxed, grounded, peaceful, and mindful.
Renew is offering this program to service military and first responders at no cost on a limited basis. (Contact Kennedy to see if you qualify.) If you are active duty, reserve, guard, or a first responder and want to be notified when funding becomes available to participate in this program at no cost, contact Shaina.
Renewing Trust
It is a powerful experience to build trust with a 1000 pound animal. Renewing Trust works with children who are in foster care or who have been adopted. For these children, trust has often been broken many times over and we offer the opportunity to rebuild some of that trust in the safe presence of a horse. Children will work on social and emotional skills as they partner with our horses. They will learn the basics of caring for a horse as well as how to partner with them on the ground via leading and other unique ground activities. During the summer months, we host Pony Pals Camp for specific age groups where children get to spend the week partnering with one horse as well as participating in team building activities to foster interpersonal skills.
Reach out to Emily for more information about enrolling a child in this program.
REAL: Strengthening the Team
Are you looking for an opportunity to deepen your work relationships, increase your productivity,
improve your teamwork and determine strategy to reach your organizational goals? REAL programs at
Renew Therapeutic Riding Center can provide an experiential opportunity where meaningful change
occurs.
REAL team building experiences are for corporate teams, departments, non-profits, community
organizations and others who work together on a regular basis. Half-day programs are
available on the fourth Friday of every month, and meals can be incorporated.
This hands-on program requires no previous horse experience. It is designed to be participant-led for
those who are open to new learnings about themselves and others. The learning is kinesthetic and
somatic, and there will be times built in for discussion, reflection and goal setting. It is not about
horsemanship or riding … it is about strengthening your team.
Contact Melissa for more information, questions, and to schedule this experience.
Hoofbeats of Hope
Hoofbeats of Hope is for children and families who have experienced the significant loss of a loved one. We partner with a mental health professional to provide a psychoeducational group using horses. We offer camps in the summer months specifically for children, and throughout the year for one-time groups for families and adults. The quiet barn and presence of horses offers a good space for healing to continue as people walk the road of grief. Contact Kennedy for more details.
Reading Wranglers
Participants ages 6+ will spend time reading to a horse and go on a guided story walk around the farm to help young readers build confidence, improve fluency, and foster a love of reading. Registration is limited and is filled on a first come, first serve basis. Readers should be able to enjoy a book independently in order to be eligible for the program. Funding for Renew Reading Wranglers is generously provided by the Holland Junior Welfare League, and the program is supported by Herrick District Library. Head to the Herrick District Library event page for dates and to register.
Group Outings
Renew welcomes school groups, group homes, retirement communities, and others to schedule a group outing or field trip to the farm. Groups are invited to join us for an interactive learning experience where various ground activities with the horses, like grooming and leading, will aid in learning and building upon communication skills, leadership skills, team building, and more.
Summer Programs
Each summer, we take a break from our regular therapeutic riding schedule to offer the community a few different ways to engage with our equines, from Drill Team Camp to Vaulting Camp to Silver Saddles (weekly riding for individuals over the age of 65).
Children who have been adopted or are in foster care can attend Pony Pals Camp, and we also offer Hoofbeats of Hope for children who have lost a loved one. We take advantage of our beautiful property and welcome those who live in memory care units to share stories, spend time with horses, and enjoy our native flower garden.
If you would like to learn more or register a camper, please reach out to Kennedy at programs@renewtrc.org today.
If you would like more information on any of these program offerings, please reach out to Kennedy, our Program Manager, to answer any of your questions, set up a tour, and plug you into the schedule.
