Since 1993, Spurs Academy aka Big Iron Ranch has been a family owned quality horse boarding facility. Now offered at our facility, exciting farm and ranch programs for all children. Our hands on animal experiences will brighten your child's day! Bring them to the ranch for endless fun and education! We also off animal assisted therapy activities for special children in need of them!
Program Description: The youth enrolled in this program will learn prevention and self- intervention techniques to decrease behavior problems, while increasing motivation, well-being, and self –confidence. The students will also learn about basic animal husbandry such as feeding and caring for a variety of animals including chickens, turkeys, goats, ducks, cows, horses , donkeys and mini ponies. They will learn to properly feed and responsibility handle equipment used for daily care of said animals. In addition, student will also be exposed to agricultural skills. The day will be filled with learning what farm and ranch life is really like! Education, guest speakers, field trips, games, crafts and a lot of hands on horse experience with lessons!
Benefits to be derived: There are many benefits that can be found from interacting with horse and farm animals. They include providing an opportunity for youth to understand the dynamics in human relationships as well as relationships with other living things. This understanding will help the youth understand the concepts of understanding and taking responsibility for another living thing as well as how to and when to seek help from mentors. After the youth have a understanding of relationships we will use this understanding to address many areas including boundaries, assertiveness, trust, and the understanding of cause and efect. This interaction with horses and animals will also give the youth an opportunity to explore social and emotional issues that impact them daily such as stress, cause and effect, and patience and this can then be incorporated in to their daily social roles and responsibilities.
