The Crossing Program

From Rebellion to Responsibility is a work to ride program that was created by the Colbert Ranch in Bertram, Texas and adapted by ETC. The program is targeted to used by city and county juvenile probation departments for sentancing options and is designed to help children learn basic life skills, control their emotions, and accept responsibility for their actions. Objectives for each week’s lesson are clearly stated, and the games and work projects are designed to reinforce the lesson plan objectives. The lessons progress in logical sequence. The program is outlined with lessons once a week for two to three hours, which include a work project. Ideally the program will last for six weeks with an additional week buitlt in for students that may miss one segment. Four students are the maximum amount allowed per session at this time.

Click this link to see the full Program Outline

Community Outreach Program

Each month, the Equine Therapy Center hosts groups of inner-city, at-risk and underpriveledged children for a special day of riding and fun. Working in conjunction with the OKC Sidewalk Sunday School Ministries and area churches, ETC teaches the the relationship between horse, rider and God.

Benefits from the events come about with a sense of connection and responsibility for the care and comfort of another living creature. Self-worth and confidence emerges from these children, who, in many cases, have not been able to freely express their feelings. With a horse, there is no judgment, no blame, no shame. The bonding that naturally develops between the human and the horse is a powerful antidote as the animals by nature can reflect our own innermost feelings, just as we can reflect God's will by developing our relationship with Him.

ETC encourages a healthy balance between the development of group skills and focus of self. Learning how to interact appropriately with authority figures and to treat others with respect are also key objectives.

Horsemanship and Riding

This program has been developed from 30 years of experience with horses and youths and from the developments that have come from those experiences.

ETC uses the equine experience as a tool for emotional growth and learning. The program is not limited to just the art of riding, but also utilizes the task of caring for the horses and the bonds that form through this caring as a means to establish trust, respect and responsibility. The goal of the program is to motivate, diminish anxieties, develop trust, learn self-evaluation, increase self-esteem and develop or enhance socialization skills.

As we have seen many times, skills naturally evolve for a child who is eager to be with a horse because a horse is extremely “hands on”. Because horses are bigger, respect happens naturally. Boundaries and limits make sense. Order prevails. It makes sense to the child to follow directions, do things in a logical sequence, work with the group, focus, finish the job and trust those the horse trust.

As these critical skills are practiced, rewards for the student happens naturally. Many of these students will go on to be horse owners, pleasure and show riders.