HIS Nation - More than Riding Horses

New Video

We have a new video showcasing our Equestrian Facilitated Learning (Horsemanship) Program. The Equestrian Facilitated Learning Program goes beyond learning how to ride. Caring for and working with horses fosters social and emotional healing and growth for our students.

Read all about it or watch the video below (or both).


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A Valuable Perspective

Many of our students come with trauma and a mistrust of people, but around horses, they feel a connection.

Fred Bruce restarted our horse program back in 2010. As a teacher at Holbrook Indian School, he understands from experience the baggage that many of our students carry with them.

“I always tell students that they can share any secrets they have with the horses. And they don’t have to worry the horses won’t repeat it.” —Fred Bruce

Mr. Bruce’s background in raising and taking care of horses provides valuable perspective in our overall approach to emotional healing and mental health through the horsemanship program. We have trained teachers and qualified mental health counselors on staff who work with our students academically and emotionally. Nestled in between classes and counseling sessions, the horsemanship class provides proven results and a welcome change of pace for our students.

“I want the students to learn to communicate kindly with the horses using their natural aids. They must think of their horse as a teammate and not a servant. Students find the horses can be trusted.” —Fred bruce

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What Students Learn

The Equestrian Facilitated Learning Program teaches our students:

  • grooming

  • feeding

  • saddling

  • riding/navigating

  • communication

As students learn how to use their natural aides to communicate with the horse, they learn important relational skills in working with horses. Our students learn how to exercise the horses, how to read their body language, and groundwork.

As they work with the horses, the students learn concepts like boundaries, teamwork, cooperation, body language, trust, and patience.


Equestrian facilitated learning Video


Meet Troy

Troy is a confident and driven young man, with aspiring ambitions. However, when Troy first stepped foot on our campus as a Freshman, we met a different person. He was extremely behind in his academics, fearful, and anxious. Yet, Troy had a natural affinity towards animals that led him to take horsemanship all four years. It was through horsemanship and working with Mr. Bruce, that Troy began to gain confidence, become a leader, and find his place in life. A graduate in the class of 2017, he hopes to return and teach horsemanship and vocational arts.

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Meet Jasmine

Jasmine, a former student, was determined to get off the reservation. That is why she came to Holbrook Indian School, a place she called home. Jasmine loved to be with the horses because she felt more herself. Jasmine said, “I have no reason to be afraid of a horse because...they’re just horses.” For her, horsemanship lessons were peaceful, silent, and safe.


Equestrian facilitated learning in photos


When you give to the Equestrian Facilitated Learning Program, you help students like Troy and Jasmine gain confidence and discover their potential by working with these beautiful creatures. You are giving them the opportunity to overcome the trauma and a mistrust of people that may be holding them back.

If you would like to find out more about the needs of the Equestrian Facilitated Learning Program, visit the link below or contact the Development Office at (928) 524-6845  ext. 109 or development@hissda.org.

Thank you for your support.

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