Help Young People Grow Alongside Horses
Whether you are enrolling a young person in our ongoing Monthly Youth Development Program or planning a private program for a school or organization, our team will help you identify the appropriate next step.
Building Confidence, Compassion & Connection—One Hoofprint at a Time
At Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, our Youth Program is designed to nurture emotional growth, self-awareness, and social skills in a welcoming, hands-on environment—without the need for riding. Through meaningful, ground-based activities with our rescued horses, young participants gain valuable life skills while learning the importance of empathy, responsibility, and teamwork.
We welcome children and teens from all backgrounds and abilities to experience the unique power of the human-horse bond. Activities may include grooming, leading, observing herd dynamics, barn chores, creative reflection, and team-building exercises—all guided by experienced facilitators trained in equine-assisted learning models.
Our goal is to help youth:
Build self-confidence and healthy communication
Learn emotional regulation and resilience
Practice leadership and cooperation
Foster empathy toward animals and others
Connect in a screen-free, nature-based setting
Our staff is certified in leading equine-assisted programs through EAGALA, E3A, ARCH, Natural Lifemanship, and the Herd Institute ensuring a safe, ethical, and impactful experience for every child.
Registration is open for individuals, school groups, and organizations.
Come discover the life-changing lessons horses have to offer—no saddle required.
Choose How to Participate
Monthly Youth Development Program
An ongoing, school-year program for young people interested in horses, responsible care, teamwork, leadership and equine-related careers. Participants meet monthly and build knowledge, practical skills and relationships through structured, ground-based activities with the herd.
Audience: Individually enrolled youth
Schedule: Monthly during the school year
Meeting length: Two hours
Cost: $25 per participant, per meeting
Commitment: Consistent participation expected
Horse experience: Not required
School & Organization Programs
Private programs developed with schools, nonprofits and youth-serving organizations around shared learning and developmental goals. Participants build communication, self-regulation, resilience, problem-solving and healthy relationships through structured, ground-based activities with the herd.
Audience: Contracted youth groups
Schedule: Confirmed with the organization
Session length: Two hours
Cost: Based on the selected format
Commitment: Single session or multi-week series
Horse experience: Not required
How Youth & School Programs Work
Hudson Valley Horse Park partners with schools and youth-serving organizations to create structured, ground-based group programs around clearly identified goals.
Participants work alongside horses through observation, problem-solving and facilitated group activities. There is no riding, and prior horse experience is not required.
Communication
Practice clear expression, active listening, nonverbal awareness and respectful group communication.
Self-Regulation
Build awareness of emotions, body language, energy and strategies for responding thoughtfully.
Problem-Solving
Work together through experiential activities that encourage flexibility, planning and critical thinking.
Connection
Strengthen empathy, trust, healthy boundaries, cooperation and a sense of belonging.
Program participation and dates are confirmed only after availability, staffing, group needs, required documents and payment or funding arrangements have been reviewed.